New Arrivals

[Yakima]

@Mystic

Philippe hesitated - for a moment. Shrugging he turned to Thayer and grinned. "What did you have in mind?" he asked, a semi innocent tone laced with the deviousness of someone who was tired of formalities and preferred to get away from what he was supposed to be doing...

@Bug

Tiale leaned against Randaril, studying the newcomer curiously, a slight smile on her face - one that brightened when the creature next to Janardan spoke.

It was Randaril, who took one glance around looking for his wayward brother, that decided to speak - after all, he was the crowned prince and if his brother was just going to abandon him he would simply have to chew him out later. "Apparently. I am...new to all this Nexus stuff, much less being off-world. It's more...my brother's thing."

"He's apparently quite famous," Tiale grinned, then glanced at Randaril who was scowling. "What...I usually just have to say 'Philippe' and everyone has already met him. Well, at least from Treval," she muttered quietly, looking down at the ground almost embarrassed.

[Xenoqueen]

@ mystic, bug

Schroeder did not avert his gaze when Faust focused on him again, nor did he bristle under the jab. The graying geneticist was not so short-tempered as that and his 'animosity', as it was called, was entirely merited. He knew who he disliked and, in a case like this, it would take a vast amount of evidence to the contrary to get him to adjust said opinion.

And if what Faust said was true -- that he and Shy were dear friends -- then it may well be Shy himself that Schroeder would be adjusting his stance towards. If only his clairvoyance could follow everyone he interacted with, and not just those of his ship. Even that had grown hazy and confused since their re-entrance to the Nexus. He was troubled by the number of minds that had fallen missing and blurred to his awareness.

"My only apology is to Director Kutoth for having to witness this, and to Nairyg for having sent her with you," he answered to Faust, and to the murdon's mind he sent, ::But I can certainly tell you of my experience with this man at any time.::

Xiao Shy tsked quietly. The tensions here did not particularly bother him, nor could he say he really had a side to take…and, most importantly, he'd spotted the drink-bearing attendants that Faust had had ordered to the gathering. The arrival of tables suggested food was to follow as well. Outstanding!

The little fellow reached up, catching the fingers of one of Kutoth's lower hands and giving it a tug better qualified as overly-friendly than childlike. Shys will Shy, after all.

"I for one am much more interested in food than feuds. Care to come with me to see what's been brought in over there, Director?"

[baka-ryu]

@phe & mystic

:: Only if it doesn't pain you to do so, Doctor, but I'd certainly appreciate your perspective.::

It was readily apparent that Kutoth had walked in on something he wasn't equipped to handle and the oozing discomfort rankled him, forcing his fronds to twist and curl, betraying his unease. Well, to anyone with a mind for murdon behavior. Kutoth didn't wish to make snap moral judgments about someone's characters, not with his own grey history, but he was quite fond of Schroeder and thought highly of the kindly human. The gentle tug on his hand was a welcome distraction.

"That sounds like an excellent idea," Kutoth agreed, his fronds relaxing of their own accord. "I can only assume Shy's provided us with bountiful delicacies."

He turned to Schroeder and Faust just enough to offer a polite bow. "Excuse me, Doctor, Mr. Faust."

"Let's see what we can indulge in, shall we?" Kutoth grinned at Xiao Shy and was all too eager to follow the tiny clone toward the tables.

----

@yakima

"Philippe?" Janardan paused, considering. The image of a blue riding elf popped into his mind. "Ah, yes. I've heard of him, but I've never had the opportunity to get acquainted. The Refugium caters to rather eclectic dragon species, I've only made a handful of the Pernese."

There were a few Pernese mutts on the Refugium and nearby Mwari Station, but they were far outnumbered by more varied and anatomically perplexing dragons.

"I don't believe I'm familiar with Treval either. Is that your home world?"

[Shard]

(@mystic but overall)

Vaeden tried to make note of whatever word had been said to start this amazing vehicle on its track, but his head was too dizzy with her closeness.

He heard in his mind, when they arrived, ease up brother, she'll be here. You know she's doing this on purpose, right? from his sister.

When Striga had moved her skirt a little, and let the fabric flutter around her knees, Vaeden sent back a rather blurry yeah I know, isn't it awesome?

Devera spent the ride then looking at those landmarks, and wondering who actually built the place, though that was far more the purview of her brother's interests. They arrived to this lobby and subsequently entered the main room where quite a few others were already clumped up and speaking to one another. Or glaring, as a few looked to be; even from across the room the entire family of the Mad King could tell that there were already tempers rising here, embarrassed scuttling there.

Before the girl could drag Vaeden any deeper into the room, Devera very gently inserted her hand around the girl's elbow, tugging Striga closer to herself. Knowing full well that she would still be heard with a louder voice than a whisper, she said close to the red-eyed girl's ear, "before you murder my brother with whatever attention you're giving, do remember that we're here to find dragons, and have our own place to return... And he'll be there with or without strings attached."

With that said, Devera let Striga's slender arm go, smiled with the practice that a princess could display, and went out to find snacks.

[Yakima]

@bug

"Treval?" Tiale asked, grinning. "Oh, no! We're both from the same world...Sentra. I just live there. Treval is more like a country...or a city on a world called Anarendor. Well, it's a city and a country, they named the capital city after the country. I live at Treval Dragonry with my boyfriends," she said, blushing as she used the plural form of the word, "Jarel and Aenon. Both of them teach there. They're also from Sentra..."

While Tiale rambled, clearly more comfortable with speaking to Janardan than he was, Randaril tried to locate his brother again with a scowl on his face...

[Mystic Dragon]

@yakima

"Stop right now," Bane said.

"Stop what," Thayer asked innocently. He turned to face his brother, taking a step back in the process.

"I know what you're thinking and we're not going through that again. Not here." Bane took a step forward to match his brother. His hands dropped from the loose and relaxed clasp behind his back to his sides. It was hard to read body language through that armour of his, but the expression on his face was clear. He did not approve of these shenanigans.

Thayer took another step back, putting him in line with Philippe.

"Bane, brother, dearest sibling of mine, I am hurt by your accusations. More so, I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken," Thayer put a hand on Philippe's shoulder, a grin spreading across his face as his other hand moved through the quick gestures of a spell, "that you didn't see this coming."

"No," Bane barked, but it was too late. As he stepped forward to grab at Thayer's arm, both he and Philippe vanished with a pop. Bane remained where he stood, one hand outstretched, a mixture of irritation and shock frozen on his face. After several seconds of silence, he straightened up, drew in a breath, and growled deep in his throat. Then the man in the glossy black armour stalked off into the crowd.

---

@phe and bug (although now Kutoth has escaped!)

Mister Faust. Not doctor, though he had just as many, if not more, qualifications than the man standing before him. He'd held that title once. They'd managed to publicly strip that away from him before he'd fled Barok. He could still claim it. He had all the knowledge. All the training. All the successful experiments. He'd never thought to fight for it, given the sour memories that were now attached to it. Still, he might have to start using it again just to dissuade the use of mister.

All the same, Faust's smile never wavered as he stared down Schroeder.

"Ah yes, Nairyg. That unfortunate beast. At least she served a purpose in the end. And you got to keep your political standing, which was what you were truly concerned about at the time, wasn't it, Schroeder? All those carefully won relations that you couldn't let go to waste over one teeny, tiny, insignificant life. Tell me, have you made any more deals with the Red Mage lately? Any other hatchlings thrown on the proverbial fire?"

---

@Shard

Striga maintained the soft, alluring smile as Devera pulled her aside. She made no effort to escape the woman's grasp or refute her words. As Devera stalked off into the crowd with her head held high, Striga slid up beside Vaeden once more and slipped her arm around his.

"I don't think your sister likes me too much," she murmured for his ears alone. Her eyes slid from him up to his father, and she tilted her head toward the waiting crowds.

"I'm not personally familiar with a lot of the people here, but daddy let me look at the invite responses and information that people forwarded along. I've also been assisting with getting the candidates settled, so I can give you a bit of an introduction." She turned toward the crowd, her free hand pointing out a bald man and a gray-haired man locked in icily polite conversation. "That's my papa over there. And that looks like Doctor Schroeder talking to him. Doctor Schroeder runs the Abstract Destiny. The beautiful gold dragon by the wall is Darasath from Clan Vecira. Her I know. Her and her clan have been so very helpful with daddy's research." Striga paused to wave at the gold dragoness, then pointed toward another part of the room, where a tall, white man with four arms and odd tendrils coming off his back followed in the footsteps of a miniature Shy. "And that would be Director Kutoth of the Refugium. I believe that's Xiao Shy with him. Xiao Shy is another of daddy's projects. He does love making clones of himself. Ah, and over there," she said, pointing to where two young women spoke with a glittering man in a fantastic hat, "is Princess Eeny. She was the first candidate to arrive here."

Striga ended her short list of introductions with another bright smile directed at Van and his son.

"So shall we all go together or..." and her eyes strayed to Vaeden again, "would you rather split up?"

[Trix]

Eeny felt the soft tug on her sleeve as Quart got up behind her.
"I think the Laedrys requested your presence in the courtyard."
Relieved, Eeny curtsied once more and took her leave. She managed to restrain her speed but still made a straight line for the exit. As they exited the gathering of candidates she asked:
"Where do I need to go?"
"Nowhere." Quart admitted, "I assume the Laedrys is busy making herself scarce. She mentioned something about the labs and that she'd be exploring and to save you when more than five people had gathered around you."
"That seems about right." Eeny said, "Did you see that shiny character? He seemed kind of dangerous The girl looked nice enough though."
Quart smirked, "I think that pirate was more unusual than dangerous. He didn't give off any dangerous vibes at least. Let's stay here for a while to take a breather."
"I'd like that very much."

[Shard]

@Mystic

"Oh, I would love your continued presence," Vaeden said, "and don't mind my sister, she's always been protective. It's ..." he glanced around at the assembled folk in their finery, and leaned in to Striga to add, "it's a good thing that our steeds are outside where they can't come do damage..."

He clearly had questions when she rattled off a number of the guests and locals names, but like the poised prince he was, he held his tongue until it would be appropriate to ask any further - or better, to just observe and make his own notes. However he was a bit confused about her terminology.

"Your ... daddy and papa?" He tilted his head. "I don't think I understand." He did glance between Striga and Shy and noted, "you do look just like Shy." He returned his gaze to her, "but your eyes are a much more fascinating color." He grinned faintly.

--

Devera hovered around her father for a moment after leaving Striga and her brother. "Did you want something to eat? It smells lovely," she said, "and I would like to meet that dragon. I wonder if Dreikoth will behave himself around her?"

Van chuckled, "I certainly hope so, apparently she's quite important here." He sniffed at the air, "I think I will find something a bit later, you mingle, my dear. I'll keep an eye on your brother." He winked, and Devera did indeed edge herself over to where that gold dragon stood.

[Mystic Dragon]

@DragonFlight

"Oh... um..." Sabrilla watched as Eeny and her escort moved off toward the entrance. She really hoped she hadn't caused the young woman any distress. She turned back to Jaliath. "I'm sure he's not far. His brother is- and now they're both gone," she said, glancing back the way she'd come to find she could no longer see Bane's looming figure anymore either. She scarcely said two words to the man, but she realized in that moment that she'd taken some stability from his presence. He represented home, something familiar, something she understood. Now both he and Thayer were gone from sight. She drew in a deep breath and tried not to let it shake her entire body as she exhaled. "I am... just fine," she said. Though whether it was to Jaliath or herself she didn't know. "Absolutely and positively fine... on this alien world surrounded by people from other worlds and nothing at all that looks familiar.

For the love of all the gods, don't cry! She blinked rapidly to clear the heat from her eyes.

---

@Shard

Striga batted her lashes, long, black points shadowing the red of her eyes until they looked less like the sweet red of cherries and more the deep red of old blood.

"My papa's doing, or so he tells me," she purred to her new favourite toy pet friend. "I can introduce you, if you like. I'm sure papa would like to meet the man responsible for bringing in those delightful creatures. Daddy has been practically cooing over them since they got here." Striga tilted her head in the direction of the two men facing off with the politest of seething smiles on their faces and exerted just a little pressure on Vaeden's arm. Just enough to bring it closer to her side and draw him in her wake as she stepped into the crowd.

[Shard]

@Mystic

Vaeden chuckled, but then nervously added, "Well... the horses are our father's work, and it's actually Devera that commands them. I - I mean I can try to, but if there's anything I know it's that they respond better to Devera and father. But I can still tell you all about them, I guess." He was dragged along a little quicker than he intended, but didn't stumble.

Who was she looking at over there, oh - huh, they were not happy to be standing so near one another, those men. He had seen that kind of thing plenty of times while watching the goings-on at Leespire's main hall. With visitors from distant lands getting into spats, or suddenly realizing that their crops may have failed because of things done in a neighboring kingdom and there was that king right there across the table?

There was no table to interrupt these two. But Vaeden could easily be in his element now. "Tell me about them," he suggested, with an ear toward learning names, histories, and possibly juicy blackmail tidbits for later."

[Starburst]

"You didn't have to take 'fashionably late' so literally. You've got me feeling underdressed."

"I'm a nobleman," came the reply as Hzash hopped down to the ground. "I should at least look the part."

He was dressed sharply, his clothing richly dyed and gems winking from the rings he wore on his fingers. Silvri looked her passenger up and down. She thought she recognized some of the jewels he was wearing from around the Weyr, but she'd never met him before this morning; he'd grown up at a crafthall outside of Meridian and had never lived at the Weyr. And for someone who just learned of his noble heritage, he was dressed rather ostentatiously. In her travels, she'd met all manner of wealthy (and often stuck-up) folk - and none wore quite as many jewels as this young man.

"I suppose you're not going to tell me your source for the wardrobe," she stated.

"A magician never reveals his secrets." When he grinned, his teeth shone brilliantly white against the scarlet tone of his skin. "The brooch was a gift. That's all I'll give you."

She rolled her eyes, but returned a smile of her own. "I saw nothing."

The two looked out over the welcome center, where a number of guests were already gathered. The sight was hardly a shock to Silvri or Mizilayt's systems; the two had been offworld more than they'd stayed home in the time they'd been together. From starship to pocket dimension, Mizilayt could travel just about anywhere with the right coordinates, making her the perfect choice to deliver Hzash to the Vella Crean. Hzash, on the other hand, was quite taken with the spectacle. Self-assured as he was, he found himself feeling humbled by the promise of dragons and dragon hatchlings. Humans were easy to fool - dragons, not so much.

"Shall we?" he said after a moment, steeling his nerves beneath the signature confident mask of a performance artist. "I've kept them waiting long enough."

"After you, sir," Silvri quipped, and Hzash couldn't help but laugh.

This was going to be fun.

[DragonFlight]

(Warning for singular curse word at the end?)

@Mystic

"Would you like to take a breather and try to calm down? The environment might not be as helpful, but there would be less people...or at least, people that are more quiet. Though I suppose my presence is not helping matters, in that case." Jaliath frowns a little. Almost by reflex about to offer a handkerchief to the young lady, but in this case, not quite certain it would be welcome.

---

"There is an individual now present that appears to rival the pirate in 'shininess'." Desh observes as Hzash makes his entrance.

"Mmhmm." Shan mumbles to himself again, without looking up.

Desh's silence afterwards eventually stretches to the point where even Shan starts to notice, and a breath before he says something about it, the machine speaks again, this time with a low, almost grinding undertone. Serious voice, whispers a little part of Shan's memories.

"Child of the Luminous One's Heart."
Uh oh. The little voice whispers louder. Shan suppresses the chill -- it's not unlike someone being called by their full name when they're in trouble....you know, if he had a longer, full name, like most people he's met.
"Your repeated dismissal of socialization with individuals considered your peers in your fields of study and chosen profession, has been logged."

Shan blinked in sudden, momentary confusion. "....What?"

"To use the phrasing coined by several of your staff." Desh whirrs a sound not unlike a mimic of 'clearing his throat'. "I'm telling Shion."

Shan's eyes widen very fast and he inhales suddenly to protest --
But Desh's faceless (literally) flat deadpan blips out a little text cursor, and a very visual and blatant '>3'.

Too late.

Fuck.

[Mystic Dragon]

@Molly

"No, you don't understand. I just need to-"

"Guests are to remain in the foyer," chirped a too-cheerful voice.

"I understand that. I'm trying to get my brother. He wandered off and I need to-"

"Guests are to remain in the foyer."

Bane drew in a deep breath and promised himself he would not scream. He would not blast this smiling, clueless, psuedo-person through a wall. He was not the one that caused scenes. Thayer did that. None of that logic prevented a scene of fire and carnage from flickering across his mind temptingly. Bane let the breath out and turned away from the attendant posted before the doors that led off from the foyer. Other attendants identical to the first bustled through the doors in a near-constant stream. They removed empty plates, returned with full ones, carted around drinks and snacks and even decorations to liven up the atmosphere of the welcome center. They were all short with disturbingly flawless features and bright gold eyes. And every last one of them seemed to share a single braincell. Bane, towering over them at 6'6" in his gold-trimmed black armour with matching cloak, could not pass for one of the attendants. The scowl sketched onto his square features certainly didn't pass for their shared look of serenity either.

Bane turned away from the door and looked around the busy welcome center. There were too many people here. Too many smells. He couldn't get a bead on Thayer inside this place. He needed to get outside.

Moving through the crowd with the ease of an elephant in a subway, Bane excused and pardoned his way to the front of the building. He was proud of himself for not stepping on any toes or upsetting any plates. Large crowds had never been his thing. He tolerated them for Thayer's sake.

Practically everything he did was for Thayer's sake, and his damn brother still ran off on him every second he could. Was he doing it more lately? Was Thayer trying to avoid him? Dammit, he was just trying to do his job.

The switch of mental tracks distracted Bane from the obstacles in his way. As such, he didn't notice the bright red man and his companion until he'd nearly run over them.

"My apologies," Bane said absently, taking a step back while eyeing the doors behind Hzash. "Please pardon me."

---

@Dragonflight

"Yes. I mean no, it's fine. I mean..." Sabrilla closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. She would not cry. She was a noble lady. She was not a child. She had this under control. "Yes, please, I would like to find somewhere quiet for a moment. I am... I was not prepared for any part of this. Your kindness is most appreciated though." Sabrilla smiled up at Jaliath. "Thank you.... um... Jaliath, was it?"

[Xenoqueen]

@Mystic
The accusation was so… absurd that Schroeder actually arched an eyebrow, though that flinch of expression was followed by said brows drawing back together again with faint wrinkling. His impression of the statement was that it revealed more about the way Faust thought and acted than anything Schroeder had actually done.

What Schroeder had done was sacrifice one for the many. Nairyg had suffered so that her clutchmates could live. Or…that was what Schroeder hoped. It was not a decision he'd made lightly nor without regrets, but he found himself in the dark as to its ultimate results. So many minds he was no longer aware of, from that clutch and all the others.

"Nothing of the sort," he was able to say in honesty. Whatever the results, he knew his intentions, flawed though they had been. "If anything, you taught me that the suffering of even one life among those I am responsible for is too many."

Schroeder knew well enough that this was a stance Faust did not share, so he felt no true need to defend himself. Faust's opinion was worthless. But at the same time…well, for once, he did not have to retreat and let Faust do as he wished, so Schroeder stood his proverbial ground, rather than excuse himself towards some other part of the gathering.


@Bug
Xiao Shy was perfectly content to hold on to Kutoth's hand all the way over to the tables, but once they were there? Priorities shifted, of course.

With all the ease of a small person perfectly familiar making his way through the scale of those larger, he procured himself an empty plate and proceeded to load it with, quite literally, a little bit of everything. The finger-foods abounded in all their shapes and sizes, fruits and vegetables and little sandwiches and pastries of all kinds, and Xiao Shy was nowhere near a picky eater.

"I couldn't even tell you what those two are bickering over," he remarked, off-handed. He ate as he went, but his gluttony was not marked by poor table manners. Not a single syllable was uttered while food was actually in his mouth. "I'd put it from your mind, dear Director. I'm sure it's nothing that would affect relations with the Refugium."

[Mystic Dragon]

@Phe and Shard

It was such a laughable stance. As if a single life mattered compared to the evolution of science. People lived and people died. What they did with those lives meant nothing unless it was documented, recorded, examined, tested. Faust did the world a service with his research. The fact that they couldn't see that, that she couldn't see that, was a problem on their part. Not his.

He opened his mouth to respond when a familiar glitter of violet and gemstones caught his eye. Faust's lips compressed into a line as Striga sashayed up to the group with her newest conquest attached to her arm.

"Papa," she purred as she leaned down to plant a light kiss on Faust's cheek. The girl was the spitting image of Shy, save for the bright red of her eyes. She tugged on Vaeden's arm, urging him a little closer to the group. "This is my friend, Vaeden. Vaeden, this is my papa and... Doctor Schroeder, isn't it? Papa's told me so much about your work."

"Yes, of course. If you two would excuse us a moment?" Faust's hand worked around Striga's free arm, gently prying her away from Vaeden while he smiled and backed off a few steps. Once they were separated, he turned and pulled Striga close to converse in a low voice.

[Shard]

@Mystic

Vaeden confidently walked beside the lovely girl showing him around, until she walked up to one of the rather tense men, kissed one on the cheek and uttered that 'papa' (who he still didn't really know? Vaeden racked his brain, had she said his name?) had told her all about the other's work.

What work, well, who even knew, these men were scientists by their titles, and even in his world science was treated with respect, if not awe. But then again, in his world, magic could ruin science ten ways to Moon's Feast, and he controlled both magic and knowledge.

Striga got tugged away from him, and being the princely sort he nodded to her 'papa' and moved aside. She needed time to discuss something with him, apparently quite a bit more important than other introductions, that was certain.

However, while he was no longer in the warm presence of the girl, he was standing nearer this Doctor Schroeder, who seemed somewhat intent on knowing what the others were speaking about, but in a very distracted and blustery way. So Vaeden bowed deeply to him, "Doctor, I'm curious, what sort of ... work is it that you do? Unlike my guide, I'm less knowledgeable about all the folk doing their important work."

[Starburst]

@Mystic

"Ah, most certainly," Hzash replied, keeping his composure despite being nearly trampled by the towering figure. "Hzash, direct descendant of the ancestral rulers of Calimshan. A pleasure."

He bowed and nimbly stepped aside, feigning politeness as he sized up the other man, eyes trained on the delightful gold-trimmed armour. What luck! Armour was surprisingly easy to separate from its wearer, especially decorative pieces such as these. He reached out a hand as Bane passed, skilfully closed his fingers around a gauntlet, twisted his grip ever so slightly as the man pulled away...

And found that the armour resisted.

Not the armour, no, he'd slid many a gauntlet off an unsuspecting wearer, felt the friction of metal and leather against skin. This was different. There was no friction between armour and wearer - the two appeared to be fused.

As the towering man turned slowly to face him, Hzash composed himself, flashing a sly grin.

"A package deal," he observed admiringly, drawing his fingers across the rich metal with a twinkle in his eye. "Most impressive - and most interesting!"

[StarFyre]

@bug, @Shard

Darasath resisted the urge to smile at Rosenheim's nerves, knowing that many people did not react well to a typical toothy dragon 'smile', and simply nodded in agreement. "Shy has had a hand in the creation of many beings, including the progenitors of my kind, so I have no doubt that these new dragons will be a success as well," she told Rosenheim as she shifted position to better face the woman, her wings rustling as she moved. "And I have no doubt that he will enjoy the opportunity to examine the genetic samples that you've provided; a fine gift for someone like him."

Not that Darasath really agreed with the whole... gift-giving portion of this endeavor; Shy was a skilled geneticist, and she knew that significant effort had undoubtedly gone into creating this newest breed of his, but...

Shy was only a man, not a dragon, and thus he did not entirely have the senses of a dragon to determine potential matches. Darasath and Renoth had thus agreed to keep an eye out for any potentials that the man overlooked for whatever reason he chose to that day.

As another person edged closer, clearly intent on meeting her, Darasath tilted her head towards the other and said, "Hello there. I am Darasath, one of the leaders of Clan Vecira. Who would you be?"

====

(Anyone who wants to interact with them, lol)

Beryl eyed the tables of food and drink being set up then hummed and turned back towards the gathering; more people were showing up as time went on, and despite a handful of them being dressed somewhat similar to Beryl and her party -- the tall man in gold-trimmed armor especially -- she still felt... distinctly out of place.

She tapped the heel of her hand against her hip and debated what to do. Darasath had brought them along, probably with intent to see if one of them would bond, but she hadn't mentioned what sort of other people would be around, or that this gathering would be happening.

Beryl had grown accustomed to picking out Lander nobility over the years, and many of the people here gave off the same feel of importance. She and the others being Adventurers gave them a certain edge on things, but... they weren't nobles. Situations like this were a little beyond what she was comfortable with.

Lerya stepped to her side and paused, head tilted and fox-ears swiveling to pick up the sounds all around them. "Darasath at least seems to be enjoying herself," she said with a nod towards the dragoness, where two people were gathered and speaking with.

"Darasath is the leader of her Clan, and clearly accustomed to dealing with these sorts of things," Beryl replied wryly. "I have never more been thankful that the Chiming Bones were not asked to be part of the Round Table, given how often they had to deal with gatherings like this."

Lerya snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. "It's not too much different than business meetings, is it? I thought you were taking courses for that."

"Courses, not..." Beryl grimaced and waved a hand at the gathering. "Whatever this is."

Behind them, Varix and Michiyo were browsing the offered food, collecting interesting bits on their plates while they kept a subtle eye on both the room and their guildmaster, not wanting to get too separated, even if they could just pop open a quick tele-chat to find where the other was at a moment's notice.

((super late to the party re: links, but
Darasath
Beryl
Michiyo
Varix
Lerya doesn't have a full desc or doc rn, but she's a Fox Tail like Michiyo but with black fur instead of blue and she wears cloth armor because she's a Cleric class))

[Shard]

@Starfyre and probably Mystic? ((ooc: I don't know which dragons are present right now? ))

Devera snagged a couple of the little sandwiches, they were tasty, seemed like some sort of fish with spicy sauce? Hm, nice. She swayed through the few people who were clumping around the newly-refreshed food table, and kept her head high. She was hardly tiny, particularly compared to most of the humans present, but she wasn't going to be as tall as her brother. But her aqua eyes saw above many heads, and beyond them into the brightly lit courtyard, she saw dragons.

Absently she wondered where Dreikoth was, if not with them. But these were more than just hangers-on and carriers-of-passengers, they were... very obviously as noble as most of the assembled people around her. Ah - wait, wait, there he was, she spotted the bronze's lightning-marked wing as he flew past the edge of the tall white building nearest, and was obscured by trees the rest of his flight. She could faintly feel the dragon's mind, but he was up above, pretty high actually, and her empathic power only stretched so far away.

Nearer, however, were the gathered 'important' dragons. As they had been outlined in some of the information given to them, Devera realized that one of them was a primary 'donor' to the eggs that were hardening on their nearby sands. Clearly of value to meet! But Devera had to handle this differently than she had before, with any animal and certainly the family's dragons. This was a queen in her own right, and she held herself that way.

As the dragoness bid someone else a farewell or urged them into the mix, she also swung her horn-heavy head toward Devera. The girl didn't check her step, instead keeping her feet moving even though the presence of the dragon's focus on her actually took her by surprise. She was certainly not an animal. Definitely more poised and... well, frankly, clearly more intelligent than the dragons that Leespire currently hosted.

She finally approached near enough to give a pleasant curtesy, and almost felt like saluting her as well, in the way that Dag or Bendek might greet their dragon. "I have seen your picture," Devera said clear and confidently, "but I don't know what you would like to be called, how shall I address you? I am Devera, eldest daughter of Van, king of Leespire."

[DragonFlight]

@Mystic
(Sorry kinda meh. @_@)

"Indeed it is, Lady Sabrilla." He's wandered enough around by this point to have some inkling for a getaway spot - there's all sorts of mingling going on, oh hey, was that a pocket attempt? Oh, delightful~ But Jaliath certainly doesn't mind stepping away from the 'entertainment' happening to get Sabrilla somewhere she can safely breathe and calm down.

I mean, she's a dear-- and his wife would kill him otherwise. (And she's find out, he doesn't doubt it at ALL.)

---

(Kinda @Phe+Mystic, brace for overly-enthusiastic character forcefully jumping into conversation BECAUSE HE CAN. <_<;;)

It doesn't take long, really. Folks on the outside might see a lone blue dragon swoop in, feathers and fur sticking up in random places (clearly a mutt of several sorts), initiate a delicate landing, and prompted become a bipedal, winged humanoid of some sort - perhaps not unlike a shifter that can't get all the way into the proper species. Not something worth a note, really. And honestly, with the way he's dressed so commonly, he's hardly worth a look, given the current goings-on. He could easily be local staff (if they weren't all tiny feathered projects) or perhaps an errand runner for someone's entourage.

Except that even over all the meandering and networking and socializing and general partying going on in this hall, his light, lilting voice still manages to carry itself directly to Shan's horrified ears. (It's barely been two minutes!) "Now where's my favorite sourpuss -- it's gossip time!"

"There is a god, and it is a horrible eldritch monstrosity bent upon my suffering." Shan almost whimpers under his breath, forehead touching his data slate. (Don't break your one link to worksanitywork~)

"T̷͖̩̘̱̽̏H̶͚͔͈͉̍̾͘Ė̴̡̦̘̥̠̱̗̀̓́̉͝Y̶̧̡͙͑ are well fond of you." Desh offers as correction, though the literal 'smug' text displayed on his face says everything else. '(￣ω￣)'

And then there's arms around Shan's shoulders and his head on a chest and Shion is right there petting his head like he's a cat and why is he not protesting, this is embarassing.....

"Aww, my poor baby, being bullied into talking to people he doesn't know, Shion will make it all better!"

"I hate both of you."

"No you don't, precious. Now, I don't know about most of these folks either, but that can change easily enough. And I'm pretty certain that's Doctor Schroeder from the Abstract Destiny over there, and he looks like he's having a rough time of it. Do you want to go shake his hand?"

"No."

"Are you lyyyiiinnnggg?" Shion grins, all sharp teeth.

"....Maybe." Shan sags a little in the continuous, boneless hug.

"I'm sure Vershdal would appreciate you checking in on her grandpa, since he's here."

[Mystic Dragon]

@Molly

Bane moved past the red man and his friend, his mind and eyes already on the outside. Someone grabbed his hand. Panic flashed across the armoured man's mind. Was someone trying to drag him back inside? Did they intend to hit on him? He didn't have time to be friendly right now. The hand on his glove tightened, and the panic subsided. No, someone was simply trying to remove his gauntlet.

Bane stopped, turned to face the red-skinned man who still held his gauntletted hand between his own. He arched a single brow high up his pale forehead, then extracted his hand from Hzash's grasp.

"Indeed," the towering figure said. He raised the hand that Hzash had so recently accosted, and drew the gauntlet off without issue. Beneath lay an entirely normal looking hand, though deathly pale and marked with dozens of minuscule holes. He slid the gauntlet back into place and flexed his fist. "Do you often go around trying to steal people's clothes off their bodies?"

---

Dragonflight aaaaaand... Starfyre and Shard? I guess they're all in the same area

"Just over there is fine," Sabrilla said as she moved with Jaliath through the crowd. The snack tables had a number of people around them in some areas, but one particular corner seemed less crowded. Possibly due to the giant gold dragonness standing behind it. Possibly due to the people in armour who looked like they came prepared for a fight standing before it. Sabrilla saw them. Her mind recoiled at them. She didn't have the capacity to be scared of yet another new thing. She was already alone in an alien place and the only person who seemed to care about her well being was a towering man made of sparkles.

[Starburst]

@Mystic

"Steal?" Hzash's eyes widened in surprise - falsely, of course; he'd loved to have added that piece to his collection - and he focused his gaze on the stranger's hand. "Of course not. Call me handsy if you must - certainly many do, and I do apologize! - but I am hopelessly enthralled by fine craftsmanship. I simply cannot resist the feel of precious metal."

As he spoke, Hzash wore a charismatic smile, but he found himself uncharacteristically uneasy. Perhaps it was the other's steely gaze, his odd pallor, or the inexplicable way the gauntlet refused to slip off for anyone but its wearer... whatever it was, Hzash felt a strange prickle of cold sweat on the back of his neck, and suddenly felt the urge to be as far away from the situation as possible.

He breathed in deeply and made eye contact in spite of his growing feeling of discomfort. "I hope you can forgive my... tactile curiosity. My compliments to the craftsman." The urge to flick his eyes away was gnawing at his gut, but Hzash forced himself to exhibit an an expectant gaze. "Now. An introduction is a two-way road, is it not? How shall I address the bearer of such exquisite regalia?"

(BONUS SCENE!!)

She should have known he'd try to pickpocket (pick... arm?) the first person they encountered. He'd given her a taste of his sleight-of-hand skill before departing Meridian, and Silvri found herself impressed - charmed, even - with the youth's performance artistry. Thankfully she wasn't a wearer of jewelry; Hzash had pulled out the classic 'coins-behind-the-ear' trick for her instead, among other disappearing-and-reappearing tricks, all of which were flawlessly delivered. The boy was talented, and she liked him regardless of how much petty theft he tried to commit.

Silently, Silvri admitted that she liked him because of how much petty theft he tried to commit.

And so she leaned against Mizilayt, mindlessly tracing patterns on the dragon's hide with her fingers, and watched Hzash. She hadn't had something so fun to watch since her days as a Weyrling. Hzash was bold and reckless, but whip-smart and debonair enough to play his way into the hearts of his audience. Silvri wondered, amused, if he'd be able to maintain his composure here. She was prepared to step in and save him from any real trouble, of course. But, she thought, the kid needed a taste of the real world. The meeting in Rimaea's office, which she'd been briefed on at length, was the first of many. His (failed) attempt to rob a man of his supernatural gauntlet was the second.

He's fun to watch, she sent to Mizilayt. More fun than Chehat.

I don't know about that. Chehat threw up on the Weyrlingmaster more than once during flight training.

He just tried to rob a man with magical evil armour. I'll take that over acrophobia-induced projectile vomiting any day.

Mizilayt rumbled. You're lucky I'm so good at reading people. You'd be right there with him if not for me.

Oh, hush up and watch, she replied, but she gave Mizilayt an affectionate pat on the leg, wordlessly thankful.

[DragonFlight]

@Mystic

"At this point I feel like sitting under the refreshments tables might be a better spot, regardless of how 'proper' it might be." Jaliath muses - hopefully with something helpful, or at least a distraction for all the extra anxiety. ^^;;;

(Sorry short.)

[Xenoqueen]

@Mystic, Shard, braced for DF impact lol

Well, that was something to get Schroeder's frown to shift in a hurry. Up went the brows again at the appearance of a young woman who knew his name (no attached surprise), called Faust 'Papa' (significant surprise), and was the splitting image of Shy (what).

Well. That might cast the remark of being 'dear friends' with Shy in a particular light quite different from the one he'd already viewed it with -- one Schroeder judged only by merits of potential trustworthiness, given his entire line of work, of course. But oh, his concerns and doubts were growing quite strongly. For a moment he considered pulling out of this engagement entirely, apologizing to Xiao Shy and returning with the little man back to the Destiny, but another part of himself was hesitant to turn his back on a situation he did not yet fully understand.

There was a chance, perhaps, that it was not so ill-fortuned as he feared. Or, was his stronger inclination, there might be something here that he should not turn his back on without knowing more fully its nature.

So he broke his studious gaze away from man and daughter and focused, instead, on the one introduced as Vaeden. His expression relaxed to something relatively more genial, here, for Vaeden was equally a stranger to him. For better or ill? Schroeder wouldn't know without speaking to him.

"I own and operate the Abstract Destiny," he answered, with a gentle wave of his hand to communicate that such a deep bow was kind, but unnecessary. "We do work in genetic engineering, draconic species primarily. The last time we were in the Nexus, we were known for facilitating offspring for pairs and groups that could not naturally bear them, and on occassion we loaned our hatching bays to naturally clutching mothers when our host, Star City Dragonry, did not have space to spare.

"And you, Vaeden? Where have you arrived from, might I ask?"

[Shard]

(ooc yeah I don't know exactly how long we were supposed to be here before the hatching starts, and all that goes down!)

@Phe

Vaeden smiled genuinely, "I'm from the kingdom of Leespire, it's... Well I don't suppose I know that our world has a 'name'? The World?" He pondered for a moment, shook his head. "I will have to find out later, but I'll admit that I am quite curious about yours?" He had to resist pulling out a quill and pad, and settled instead for committing to memory whatever was said about this 'Star City' and 'Abstract Destiny'. "You say you 'operate' this place, is it a guild?" The look on Schroeder's face told him otherwise. Vaeden looked a touch sheepish, "I'm afraid that I only know our city's history and that of our allies truly by heart, and... though we have dragons, well, our parents and the three others in father's court, I don't really have much experience travelling very far. This place is," he took a look around at the walls, the windows, everything, "is so... very foreign to me. It's much... shinier? Than I'm used to."

[Mystic Dragon]

@Molly

Bane didn't know quite what to make of this... flamboyant character. He had all the charm and charisma of his brother (and he wasn't hard on the eyes), but the sticky fingers were off-putting. Plus, Bane could already see the shiftiness to his stance and the strain behind his smile. It really didn't take people long to realize they wanted nothing to do with him.

He needed to find his brother. He didn't need to be impolite.

"Bane," he said. Then, quickly realizing that his first name often had the same impact on people as his presence, he tilted his head in a slight acknowledgement to Hzash. "... Dragon-Audil. From Tris'Hath. It's been... well, I wouldn't say it's been a pleasure given I don't generally enjoy being greeted by attempted larceny. It's been an experience. Now if you don't mind, I have to find my brother."

---

@Shard, and Phe and anyone else who wants to overhear

"I asked you to escort them here. Not pick out your next appetizer," Faust said under his breath as he walked a few steps away from the crowds with Striga. The young woman on his arm kept her smile in place as he chastised her.

"Relax, papa. I haven't done anything to him nor would I want to. You know how daddy is about his Sangers. Besides," she purred, casting a glance over her shoulder at Vaeden. "He's practically ready to swear his undying love to me all on his own. It's cute."

"Just remember what your father said. This is an important event and he needs it to go perfectly." Why Shy wanted to play politics with the Nexiians was beyond him, but he would humour his sweet geneticist. "That means he needs both of us on our best behaviour. If I don't get to play, then neither do you."

Striga rolled her eyes and let out the sort of aggrieved sigh only a teenager could manage.

"Fine," she chirped after a moment. She lifted her free hand and made an X motion over her heart with one long, blood-red nail. "Cross my heart."

Faust patted his daughter's arm, but before he could turn back to rejoin his most intriguing conversation with Doctor Schroder, a Pigeon popped into existence before him. Faust grimaced. He hated the way these creatures so casually invaded his personal space, but he had made the request to direct all problems with the impromptu party through him.

Shy would owe him so many favours from his good behaviour today.

"What is it," the bald man hissed as the creature fluttered uncertainly in front of him.

"Um... well... They're in the garden," the Pigeon squawked.

"Who are?"

"Ummm.... the boys. The pretty blonde boys. Master's favourite and his friend."

The favourite. Thayer. Son of the Red Mage.

For a long while, Faust said nothing while his mind worked through a thousand possibilities. The boy had gotten himself separated from the party, and from the sounds of it, separated from his towering bodyguard as well. They'd wandered off into the Labs, the garden of all places. Accidents happened there all the time. It would be so easy to-

"If I don't get to play then neither do you," Striga whispered in a sing-song tone in his ear.

Faust snarled, then scowled, then fixed his face into a neutral mask once more.

"Release the Bimbettes. Have them follow our errant guests. Alert me if they attempt to access any of the restricted areas."

The Pigeon chirped an affirmative and disappeared with a pop.

Striga patted her papa's arm as he had done to her moments ago and gave him a warm smile.

"When this is all done and over with, we'll go on a hunting trip together. Some quality father-daughter time."

Faust growled under his breath, relaxed, and nodded. Then he turned back toward Doctor Schroeder and plastered the false smile back into place. Striga slipped free of his arm as they rejoined the group and moved over to Vaeden's side once more.

"I apologize for the interruption," Faust said.

---

@Dragonflight

Sabrilla chuckled at the absurd suggestion. She dabbed at her eyes, wiping away the tears that had definitely not been there.

"Is this how Nexus events typically go? I'm so new to all of this and it's just... there's so much going on. How do you not get overwhelmed?"

[DragonFlight]

@Mystic

"Honestly, I've no clue how this sort of thing tends to go. First time off into the aether, as it were. But I have had plenty of experience in large rooms filled with stuffy gossips and rumor-mongering, and that's close enough to this. Never liked them, though." Jaliath huffs a bit. Well, if he can't find a quiet spot (and he wasn't even joking about sitting under those tables, less talking and easy food access) he can at least be an amusing distraction. "And for me, it really was just a lot of practice. Fake it 'til you make it, I've heard, though it does take quite a lot of that in my experience. I would say a good start would be to focus in one place for a bit - like you're doing now, just chatting with me - and when you feel comfortable with one, try two, or three, and eventually you'll be sweeping through a room like a professional. But there's no rush to get all the way there right away."

@Phe/Shard/More Mystic LOL

Whilst Faust and Striga are having their talk, and Doctor Schroeder is having a conversation with Vaeden, Shion is veeerrryyyy slowly shifting his position with Shan and Desh, so that the former is less agitated....though he's still the equivalent of a puffed up feral kitten. <_<;; (I can't help but imagine this occuring in the 'background' in question, like character going about their business as normal but only the audience notices something weird going on behind them. XD) It takes some inching and hugging and distraction to prevent the young man from fleeing, but Shion manages social proximity in probably record time (for Shan, anyway -- who has refocused on his data slate and is leaning backwards onto Desh so he doesn't have an immediate meltdown).

And then Shion detaches from the man long enough to at least halfway-politely do a slow lean-in where Doctor Schroeder and Vaeden are talking, all cheer and genuine smiles. (^_^) o/ "Hello hello! I hope not to be a bother with the interruption, but I have a very social terrified friend over here that I am trying to coax into a reasonably well-adjusted conversation, and it would help me ever-so-much if you would be willing to let him say hello, also." ^___^

[Mystic Dragon]

@Dragonflight

Sabrilla sniffled and laughed again. She eyed the tables laid out with all assortments of finger foods and recalled how she and Sewyn used to sneak beneath them at banquets and steal the desserts before dinner. It was a silly, childish thing, but in that moment, she really wanted to take Jaliath up on his offer.

"This was so easy back home. Daddy and grandpa used to have parties all the time. There were always important guests from all across the princelet and Sewyn and I were taught how to behave and how to greet people and... it was all just so boring but I was good at it. I leave home for less than a day, and I forget everything about proper etiquette. I was so sure I wanted to be a dragon rider this morning, but now I'm not certain I'm cut out for it."

Saying the words hurt more than Sabrilla thought they would. She still wanted to be a dragon rider. She wanted the life long friend and the adventures that would bring. She just wasn't so certain about the Nexus anymore. One new world and she was overwhelmed. She couldn't imagine what official business as a Caretaker would look like.

[Yakima]

Randaril excused himself to let Tiale do the talking, making the excuse to go find them drinks (though he did intend to do just that...at least after he found his wayward brother), and began to move in the direction he had last seen Philippe. However, when he reached the place the blue rider should have been, all Randaril saw was the black-armored man who had been with the blond Philippe had been talking to (Thayer, perhaps had been the name?) looking around with neither Philippe nor Thayer in sight.

Where in the name of the Five did he go now, he thought, clenching his jaw and his fists before moving back through the crowd, trying to guess where Philippe had gone. Worse bodyguard ever...

@Tag to anyone who wants to talk to him as he moves through the crowd...not sure where people are at this point. lol