let the celebrations begin!

[lord_admin]

The last light has faded. The bonfire is lit and the fireflies are glowing merrily. The scent of wood-smoke is in the air. Three of the identical serving men have taken up instruments from the bower and have begun to play, varying between soft ballads and dancing tunes. By the fire, a large silver pail holds small, glittering crystals

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[thequeensown]

Talia hadn't been certain if she had any interest in participating in the festivities this evening, but there was little way she could pass up the chance to dress in finery and actually .. relax ..

So, she'd donned something appropriate and made her way to the celebrations. She's hardly a dozen paces into the room before she's had a wreathe placed upon her head and garlands of flowers draped about her neck. It's heady and whimsical, the atmosphere of the celebration and Talia can't help the absolute breath of relief that escapes her.

After the recent events .. this is a welcome change in atmosphere.

[nopattythepider]

From underneath a table across the hall peeked a small, dark haired boy. At the sight of Talia, he grinned, soundlessly laughing as he left his hideout to dash towards her. Whether she saw him coming or not, Patrick had full intention of hugging her leg the moment it was in range.

[thequeensown]

Talia doesn't see him coming and when he attaches to her leg she makes a sound of surprise and looks down quickly with wide eyes. She blinks, but without a beat removes one of the garlands and drapes it over the childs' neck with a warm and inviting smile.

"Heyla, kitling, and happy days," she says in greeting, shock wearing off rather quickly. She makes no move to disengage the boy, instead giving his hair a gentle ruffle that is full of affection. "Who might you be, then, hmm?" Because there was something awfully familiar about him, but she hadn't quite placed it yet.

[nopattythepider]

The boy doesn't speak save for a shy giggle when she ruffles his hair, but he does look up at her and smile. He lets go, keeping hold of her leg with one hand and reaching up with the other.

[thequeensown]

He does not reply with anything save a giggle, but Talia minds not one bit. As he reaches up for her she is a bit puzzle and leans down, wondering if he is wanting a better look at he wreath.

"What has your interest then, little one?"

[nopattythepider]

The moment it's in reach, he takes hold of a lock of her hair, touch gentle. If anything he seems... completely fascinated by it.

[thequeensown]

It's a small gesture, and one that many might just take as an unfamiliarity with red hair. However, the Herald gives a moments' pause and then her eyes slowly start to widen in a fascinated sort of shock.

"Patrick?"

After all, if Kevas was human for the night, as well as the several members of staff she'd see so far .. it couldn't be a terrible stretch, could it?

[nopattythepider]

The boy looks away from the hair in his hand to grin at her. As though he's successfully confirmed that she is indeed the woman he met all those weeks ago, Patrick lets her go and steps back, stretching his arms out to the sides and looking pointedly at his new form.

It's kinda cool, ain't it?

OMG, he's the cutest thing EVER!! <3

[thequeensown]

Talia watches as the boy releases her hair and grins up at her, returning it widely and with no small amount of bemusement. This was similar to the random magic that had been evident on the Elegante from time to time and it was no less enchanting. Patrick, for his part, looks similarly impressed by it.

Talia laughs as he extends his arms to better show himself off, nodding as he seems as pleased (if not more) than she is about it. She really can't blame him, although he is quite the attractive spider.

"Quite wonderful, is it not?" she agrees. "And I must say that you make quite the dashing young man, Patrick!"

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Oh hai Talia, Sollux sees you there. And while he's not up for socializing, he did have something to say to her. He downs the rest of his cup of nectar and heads over towards her, flames on the nearby torches flickering somewhat.

"Talia."

[thequeensown]

OH HAI SOLLUX! Talia looks over at the troll and offers a warm smile, several glasses in on the delightful ale that is being offered. She wasn't going to point out his human-ness, because she couldn't be certain that he was pleased about it or not.

"Heyla, Sollux."

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Yep, he's not happy about it. In fact, he's not happy about a number of things at the moment, which is why the torches are flickering and flaring.

"What did you do to IB?"

[thequeensown]

Yer killin' her mellow, Sollux. :|

Talia blinks, eyes lifting above the trolls' head to the torches in the sconces and then back again. She should have expected this, in all honesty, but she'd thought it was done. Well, no sense beating around the bush, as he's already looking for a fight.

"I knocked her out, Sollux," she says gently, holding up a hand in attempt to stave off any tirade. "You know as well as I do what she was thinking and it would have only managed to get her into trouble, the same as it would have Kevas, had either succeeded in reaching you on the green. I did not harm her, nor was my intention EVER to do so, and she woke far easier than Kevas did .. I made certain of that."

Also, you might note Sollux, that she doesn't seem as cowed as she normally is when being questioned about her abilities or their usage. Yeah .. that nectar is revving up a lotta folks. :D

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Sollux hasn't actually noticed the effect he has on the torches (or anything) yet. And he's not really LOOKING for a fight, but he is rather displeased.

"No, YOU know as well as I do that she wouldn't have been able to do anything to get herself in trouble after the axeman left. There was no reason to put her to sleep or hurt her in any way."

He hmphs and shakes his head, and the flames die down a bit but don't stop flickering. "What you do to your matesprit is your business, but stay out of MY mo--friend's head unless she asks you in there."
By the end of that sentence, the flames have flared again and the earth under Sollux might just be shaking a small bit.

I see what he almost called her and nearly SQUEED aloud!!!

[thequeensown]

Talia closes her eye and counts. She counts several times, because she knows that there is nothing gained in getting angry about this. Sollux feels how he feels and that wasn't going to change by yelling about it.

"You're right .. Unless asked or in mortal peril I will not." She opens he eyes and looks at him, the torches around her dimming once more. Hot head gets a whole new meaning at this festival. Oh, and she might not know the meaning of the word you almost said, but thenmeaning itself is loud and clear.

"I will treat Isabella with every courtesy," she finishes and the torches are back to normal once again. She would make a point of speaking to Isabella.

ehehe

[thii2ii22tupiid]

The ground returns to normal, and the torches on Sollux's side calm -- they're still flickering, but not flaring anymore.

"Good."

If she has nothing to add, he'll wander off.