The dining hall was decked out to the rafters. Streamers wrapped the supporting beams, boughs of lush green were carefully Grown into shape and then hung with bright phosphorus lanterns. Music played from a small school quartet at the front of the great hall and the tables all but groaned with the food they held. Even though a lot of students had gone home for the break, many still remained. Students and teachers alike sat and ate, or stood and chattered. There was more alcohol than one could poke a stick at, and more than one student was on the verge of drunken stupor. The Dirge story was already underway, with Grumble running around the edges of the room and the younger students chasing him with delighted screams and laughter. Every so often groups of the more tipsy party go'ers would start a loud and off key rendition of St Grumble's Dirge.

The woman chosen to play Lizzy this year walked around in a sort of half drunken daze, grinning broadly as more and more alchohol was fed to her. The overall atmosphere of the room was excitement, warmth and rip roaring drunkenness.

"And then I said to Old Mister Winchester, if your son can't keep his Tickle spell to himself, I will have him locked in his dorm!" Professor Dallium said in a rather wobbly voice. She had had quite a bit to drink and was now regaling her disciplinary actions to any of the faculty that cared to listen.

Professor Moore was slumped over a mug of cider at the far table near the servant's exit, his face glum. Normally he enjoyed St. Grumbles; with everyone in Cherry Hall, he had time to himself to wander the Library. But today he had felt the sudden and inexplicable urge to subject himself to the festivities.

It was just balls and parties and soirees these days, the University. Brunnhold had become The Big City, the place where all the posh people visited to have a good time and meet influential people. It was still a bastion of learning, but learning for learning's sake had begun to die out; everyone had realized that being smart was not only an end in itself, but a means to greater social standing.

The academics of the world had long been praying that the silly people would never discover that fact.

Harper's mind was far from easy as he watched a group of faculty children and wayward students chasing this year's Grumble around a long table. Glancing over to the basket on the chair beside him, he checked to see that the slumbering Horation was still fast asleep, clutching his phrenological model of the galdori brain (a belonging of Professor Devlin's that the baby had taken a special liking to). He was drooling all over comparative sagacity. Harper smiled a little, wondering what kind of person the baby would be when he grew up.

Triston's mop maid an obnoxious wet slapping sound as she drug it half heartedly over the floor. The St Grumble's feast was always short handed, due to the inevitable inebriation of more then half the servants, and so Ms. Denisent had volunteered Triston to clean up after the students and faculty. Like some sort of mini janitor, she darted around the hall, trying to keep the place at least slightly respectable.

Looking around, she had spotted Harper, sitting rather morosely with a cup of cider and a... basket? Seeing nothing that threatened the hall's state of cleanliness, Triston decided it was time for her break. She came up behind him just as he checked on Horation, thus revealed what was in the basket. Instead of yelling "BOO!", as she had originally planned, Triston extended a tiny finger to poke Harper in the shoulder. "Hello sir, are you and Horation enjoying the festivities?"

The retired officer had sat as far away from the center of the staff table as he could, and was slowly inching his chair closer and closer to a group of students - mostly boys - off to the side. He had a mug of ale, and was occasionally drinking from it deeply, but he wasn't eating heavily. It seemed the warm froth was all he needed to fuel his evening. He was in his full, formal Seventen regalia, with his ceremonial saber over his hip.

It was hard to tell if he was drunk or not. His voice had certainly grown louder, but that might have just been the excitement from the evening, less than the alcohol. And his cheeks and nose were flushed, but they were always flushed.

He was telling stories to a few wide-eyed boys of life in the Seventen, most of them tales of valor he'd seen, or about cases and criminals. Harte clearly knew the difference between a report and a tale, and the stories he was weaving was well balanced, some of them suspenseful, some amusing, and some just raunchy enough to make the older students grin without giving so much detail that he'd get in trouble. Or at least, the details were benign enough for a St. Grumble's day feast, which might not have meant much at all in polite society.

The atmosphere at his circle was warm and inviting, and loud as the hall was, his voice was clarion over the din to those who came to listen.

Athrym grinned as she downed yet another Starfly, placing it somewhat heavily on the table she was perched on. It was a brilliant night, and already, she had drunk at least four Starflys...or maybe it was five? Either way, she was absolutely rotten stinking drunk. She wore a long black empire line dress, with a squared neckline and long flaring sleeves, white lace trimming the cuffs and the line under her bust. Brushing a hand through her platinum blonde hair, she realised it was getting longer. Brushing just past her shoulders. She would grow it out for the wedding, so she could do something fun with it. Yes. Thats what she would do....

Shaking her drunken daydreaming aside, she laughed.

"Goddess I am drunk!" A sudden thought occured to her.

"Gifts! I have gifts!" Indeed, she had a basket beside her on the table with brightly wrapped boxes of all sorts. One for each of her friends, even Angus.

Alisoina, too, was gussied to the nines, though not nearly as regal as Athrym. In fact, she felt embarrassingly girlish, her dress more of her father's design than her mother's. Although politically motivated, Corann loved having a little girl as a child and his taste tended towards... youthful. So, here she was in a pastel blue monstrosity with ruffles and lace and petticoats, lacy stockings and black, shiny shoes. She looked like a ridiculous doll, not a grown woman of fourteen.

But it was the very last nice thing she had that hadn't been worn yet. So here she was, pouting in her corner. At least she had some originality to the horrid thing; in her hair was a black, simple ribbon, jest enough to keep the worst of her curls out of her face. Until she spotted Athrym, and suddenly a smile broke out across her features.

"Athrym! Hahaha, having fun?" She pounced on her older friend, squeezing her in a quick hug then backing off. Yes, it was bad form. Who clocking cared. They were friends forever, after all. In her small purse were all her gifts, but she liked to build up to the presentation. More fun that way!

Naul could've sworn he was just dressed up and at a party barely over a week ago, only that party involved masks, lovely red dresses, and ... Well, different presents. Only this time, the boy found himself even more jittery than before; the majority of students crowding the dining hall were decidedly of the younger age set. He couldn't help but wonder if his siblings would see him here, carting presents, with a girl. A lovely girl in a black dress.

The girl he was bringing home ... tomorrow. First to his parents, then to hers.

Oh, Alioe.

The nervousness might have been the alcohol messing with his mind. Or anxiety over the purpose of the trip to Vienda for the rest of the week. Whatever the case, regardless of how sharp and well-dressed and collected the dark-eyed boy looked on the outside, he was a veritable knot of nerves on the inside.

Still, it wasn't like the whole evening couldn't be any more enjoyable. Naul returned from fetching himself something not as intoxicating as usual to drink to Athrym's endearingly wobbly side just as Alisoina was pulling away from her spirited greeting,

"Well, if it isn't Miss Denore." He managed a lopsided, genuine smile, nodding with enough of a bow to the younger girl before moving to rest a hand warmly against the blonde's back, "I hope you're having a more enjoyable evening than the last social event we all found ourselves stuck at. Are you going home for break at all?"

Harper glanced up in surprise when he heard Triston's voice. It was always so odd bumping into her during her work day; in truth, he hated being reminded that she was a servant and not a student. It made him feel strangely guilty, as though if he had only been smarter she might have been enjoying the feast instead of mopping a floor.

"Hallo, Triston," he said, brightening a bit. "I can't say all this fuss is really for me. You might recall me spending most of the Masquerade by the punch bowl. I thought perhaps it would interest Horation...he likes bright lights and colors. But he's fallen asleep."

He nudged the basket.

"Are you, er..." He looked at her mop. "...Busy?"

The blonde laughed, giving Alisoina a warm squeeze before she backed off, balancing precariously on the edge of the table. The younger girl was so...blue and ruffly!

"Ali! Yes! I have had so many drinks and I must admit, I am clocking drunk!" She laughed again, grabbing two pink drinks off a passing tray.

"Here! Happy St. Grumble! To-woah!" Handing one of the drinks to Alisoina, she slipped off the table to stand up, stumbling slightly. Straightening with one hand held out for balance, she cleared her throat and raised her glass.

"To good friends and wonderful fiance's-to-be and all that!" Nodding, she drank deeply from the pink beverage.



Athrym leaned against Naul with a sigh, head on his shoulder, before straightening again to kiss him soundly on the cheek.

"Speak of the hatcher!"



The blue eyed girl glanced at his glass and pulled a face.

"You shouldn't be drinking that..its not...this!" Raising the glass to her lips, she giggled again before taking another sip. Impatiently, she looked around.

"Where are Hunter and Fowler and Ellie and...and Angus? I want to give out my gifts!" Her foot stamped a little and she pouted, slightly childish.

Triston smiled, recalling Harper's wallflower tendencies. The masquerade had seemed very profitable for the politicians, but apparently not so for the academics. Why cant scientists just invent social skills?

She looked down at Horation's sleeping form tenderly, questioning, for a moment, his fate. Triston had heard some bad rumors about Athrym, but she also knew how rumors tended to be much less then truthful, as working with professor Moore had proven. It still didn't sit right with her, though. The idea of giving that girl, or anybody else for that matter, custody of the infant was mad in her eyes. Inside she hoped the rumors were true, that Athrym was much too unstable to care for a baby.



Triston shrugged, still smiling. "Everyone seems to be holding their liquor, so I have some free time." She said, somewhat leaning against the mop. A sudden uncomfortable stabbing sensation in her side reminded her that she was carrying a book in her apron. Triston slid it out carefully, doing her best not to rip the brown paper she'd disguised it with. It was fairly thick, and despite her efforts, a piece of the cheap wrapping had ripped, revealing the corner of a not-so-cheap leather cover.

Triston handed it to Harper happily, all smiles. It was a book about steam locomotives, or as Triston would call it, giant land ships. She had used all of her meager savings to buy it, and prayed that he didn't already have one in his collection. She had also prayed that he didn't think it odd of her to get him a gift. They were friends, kinda.

"Its your St Grumbles gift, a book." She announced happily, unable to wait for Moore to actually open it. "About steam loco-" Triston paused, refusing to trip over the word like some idiot. "loco-...Its by Brent Locksme. He's the one who invented them, the steam thingys." She looked rather proud of herself for having found such a book, a new book, obviously. The shiny leather attested to that.

((I can change post if the book is unlikely to exist.))

St. Grumble was usually a day of letting Nathaniel relax from his studies and down as many ales as he could before he hit the floor in a rare sight of being completely plastered. However, he had completely forgotten about St. Grumble until just last night. The kicker was that the new information wasn't able to spark any old happy memories of previous years' celebrations.

After a restless night, Nathaniel, to put it in polite terms, felt like shit. As much as he wanted to not get out of bed this morning, a promise was a promise. He had to go meet Nauleth, Athrym, and Alisoina for the Feast that evening. That was absolutely indisputable.

Well, now I'm here. And I can't see them anywhere. he thought grumpily as he walked in, scanning the inebriated mass of students and teachers had him surrounded on all sides. He wore a simple, yet elegant arrangement of a white dress shirt under dark blue vest with a jet black tailcoat and a silk puff tie; all of this included with gloves, striped trousers, and shined shoes with spats. Nothing especially head-turning, but expressive all the same.

He plucked two shots of Green Madhouse off of a passing servant and downed them both in quick succession as he wandered through the crowd, looking for his companions. His neck muscles flexed involuntarily from the absinthe ingredients. Just because he wasn't enjoying himself, didn't mean he wouldn't drink up a storm. Tradition was still tradition. He continued to wander around the area in a lighter mood thanks to the quick introduction of alcohol into his system.

After several more moments, he spotted Nauleth's distinct hair colors. From what he could tell, he and all the table's occupants were chatting animatedly. He made his way over to the table, almost getting run over by the running Grumble and the younger students who were in hot pursuit.

Athrym's toast let the redhead know her friend was soused. And... fun! Alisoina had never consumed alcohol outside of her parents supervision, not relishing the taste, but Ath was having such a good time...


Ali grinned broadly, suddenly aware of her lack of progress with the Siordanti sister. After this ordeal with the Ghosts, I swear. I'll make this right. Smoothing her dress, she made a polite curtsy, impishly sticking her tongue out. He was beginning to grow on her, and it was with a great deal of affection that she leaned in and poked a button of his jacket.

"And you, Lord Siordanti! Quite magnificent tonight, I must say." Having put her crush squarely behind her, she was able to appreciate what a fine catch Athrym had gotten herself. Besides. Naul was becoming that annoying person in life that makes it so much more tragic when gushing about.


She nodded, and with a surreptitious glance, grabbed the Dentis Cobbler she'd been eying. If Athrym was drinking it must be fine. "Yep, mummy is sending a carriage down tomorrow morning, and I'll be home by dawn." Her father had actually told her to invite anyone she wanted to come along with her, but Ali wouldn't dare come between the lovebirds.


Ali giggled at her inebriated friend, now short curls bouncing. Her Dentis Cobbler went down easy, but a bit more spicy than her normal chocolate milks at home. It really was delightful; it was so... autumn-esque. "I hope they arrive soon... I haven't seen little Ellie in so long! I barely glimpsed her at the ball--" She noticed Nath's arrival and quieted. She hadn't seen him in ages either, and his absence had felt a little colder to the emotional fourteen year old.

Nathaniel managed to prevent his person from being trampled on by Grumble and his pursuing, screaming mob; all without mussing his shoes and gloves off course. He plucked yet another Green Madhouse from a nearby tray being held by a passive. He had decided that he needed some liquid courage for what might happen next. He had spotted Ali.

Downing almost the entire shot in one swig before he arrived at the table, he inclined his head in greeting.

"Hello everyone," he articulated, making sure he did not slur when he was talking. "How's the festivities? I have the distinct feeling that Grumble will be a little more worse off by the end of things this year." He tilted his head toward the continuously pursued Grumble and the band of children looking slightly more violent this year in their chase.

It was just... too much. ALisoina may have had a crush on Hunter, but she and Nath had really connected. They had even talked over the koi pond, when the stars were bright and he was being so sweet... well, she had seen how her affections for Hunter were treated. Besides, who was it who had stuck with her though the trip to and from the circus?

Suddenly muddled, Ali wanted fresh air to clear her mind. But first... gifts. Fumbling with her purse, she smiled tightly at Athrym and Nauleth.

"I have your gifts! I know the exchange is generally later in the evening, but I want to get it all done now..." She got past Ellie's gift and finally found the small, brilliant blue ribbon she had been looking for.

Handing the present to Athrym, she grinned sheepishly as it glistened in the lights. It was a navy blue ribbon necklace that would sit tight against the throat, and at it's center was an elegantly curved piece of silver, sculpted to form willowly fasteners for a piece of pastel blue jade. The stone was flawed with white streaks, however it was for those that Alisoina had picked it; they reminded her of winter, or perhaps the scars on Athrym's arms.

In the center of the jade was carved a single letter of monite, one representing a deep sense of affection and friendship. Ali had slaved over books of the language, trying to find an archaic symbol that fit what she wanted it to mean; in this form, the closest example to estuan was 'undying love and devotion for family.' Athrym had become more than a friend; she was better than family.

"I hope you like it, I got it done locally in one of the costume shops. They gave me a discount since it was after the Arts Fair ball..." She shut up quickly, not wanting Athrym to think her cheap. Yet her cash flow had become tight since splurging on the masquerade dress.

Next up was Nauleth's gift. It was much harder to find, since the black bit was more compact than any of the other gifts, but find it she did. Pulling it out, she handed the older boy a finely carved piece of snowflake obsidian, a cravat pin in the shape of a raven. The balck and white had reminded her of his hair, and she knew that if he wanted to marry Athrym, he needed to look good for her family, every part the gentleman. Her father always said cravat pins were in high fashion.

"It's um... for when you go together to the Bruthgraves. I hope it's not too tacky, but..." Ali was regretting not getting Nath a gift, but he hadn't bothered to talk to her in so long... digging through the purse, she was tempted to give him Hunters gift.

However, in her lack of present, she saw a chance for escape. "I don't have my gift for you Nathaniel, it's back in my room. I think-- I think I'll run and get it!"

The sloshed blonde frowned and followed her friends gaze. A golden haired boy was approaching them. Nathaniel. Turning back to Alisoina, she leaned forward with a wobble and spoke in her ear.

"I yelled at him for you. I forgot to tell you. Saw him the other day and yelled black and blue. Stupid kenser that he is. Don't even worry about him." Leaning back, she nodded to the boy as he approached.



Athrym nodded, emptying from her pink drink, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed. I don't envy the person who's Grumble this year. The festivities go well actually, very...pleasant." Her blue eyes narrowed, letting him know he was welcome, but being watched. Drunkenly watched.



The galdor turned her gaze back to Alisoina with a grin. Gifts! She had gifts too!

"Ooh I have yours here too!" She said as the girl pulled a blue ribboned item from her purse. The blonde tilted her head as she took the item, noticing the blue jade in the center. She gasped as she examined the choker.

"Oh Alisoina! It's so beautiful, and too much! I..."



Reading the monite in the center of the piece, she made a little face and pulled the girl into a warm hug.

"You are so clocking wonderful Ali! I love it! It's perfect!" Running her thumb over the carved symbol, she pulled back and reached up to tie the choker around her throat. It was a perfect fit.



Catching the last of the sentence, Athrym glanced over at the pin in between the galdori with a little gasp.

"Where did you find such beautiful things?! I want the name of this store sometime!"



Snatching the redheads arm, Athrym shook her head.

"Wait! Wait! Gifts! I have one for you! Don't run away yet! I think you and I might have had the same idea." Still holding the girls arm, the platinum blonde reached for the basket behind herself and Nauleth, pulling a small red wrapped package from it and replacing it with her empty glass. Turning back, she handed it over with one hand.

"Open it!" She demanded. Inside, Alisoina would find a bracelet of weaved filigree silver, inset with small red rubies. The design was almost leaf shaped, and right in the center was a large squared ruby. It clasped tightly, so that the large ruby stayed on the top of her wrist. Tilting her head, the blonde shrugged.

"I read once that a good friend is worth more than a thousand rubies. I didn't really think much of it, till I met you. Besides, the red reminds me of fire. Kind of like you." She shrugged again, drunkenly embarrassed.

Stephanie stood beside one of the dining tables, gazing dispassionately at the feast set out before her. The food didn't exactly turn her stomach, but she really had no interest in eating. She hadn't been hungry since last week when she was told she would not be able to keep Whimsy with her. The osta was still in her dorm. She would not be able to take her back to her parents' estate until they were back from their latest vacation. There weren't even any servants left behind who could take her. When her parents traveled, they took their entire entourage with them.

She had not had the chance yet to file any complaints about the no-pets rule, but it was still on her mind. Her classes were keeping her busy, and she had to study hard to catch up with the other students. She was doing better than she had expected. That, at least, was something to celebrate.

She glanced down at the food again, looking at it as if it might jump up and bite her at any moment. I have to eat. I'm supposed to enjoy all of this food. Look at everyone else. They like it. It's not like it's going to kill me.

The young girl sighed. Eating was always a struggle, but she had to try. Picking up a plate, she chose anything that looked the slightest bit appetizing. She also picked out a few choice morsels of meat and fish and placed them in the bag she had brought along. She would give them to Whimsy when the night was over.

She picked up a glass of water, and then sat down at an empty table. The children running after the figure of Grumble caught her eye. The first year she had been at Brunnhold, she had been among them. The second and third year she had tried, but she'd been so chubby she couldn't keep up. And last year she had been too thin and sick.

This year she was too old. And she didn't want to ruin her hair. Her pink dress was simple and elegantly cut. Her shoes were also very simple. The showpiece of her ensemble was her hair.

She had twined it into pointy twin cones on top of her head and woven it through with pink ribbons. The ends of the ribbons hung down around her shoulders. It was a very elaborate style, one she hoped would start a trend. She had heard one of the younger students say it looked stupid when she walked in the door, but what did children know? Maybe a lot. Maybe she did look stupid.

She shrugged and picked up a morsel of fish covered in some kind of sauce and stuffed it in her mouth. Hmmm ... not so bad after all. No, what was bad was that singing. Didn't the singers know they were so amazingly off-key? Probably not. Whatever. At least they were having fun.

It would be nice to have some fun herself. Stephanie took another bite and looked around her. There were a group of students not far away exchanging gifts, and there were others who were getting so drunk they'd probably end up embarrassing themselves. But they were having fun, so what did it matter?

Stuffing another tasty morsel in her mouth, she looked around for someone she knew, or just someone who looked a bit lonely and would like someone to talk to. She was determined to enjoy herself as well. She just needed to find something exciting to do ... and someone to share it with. A partner-in-crime, perhaps, someone to make a little mischief with.

Most of the boys in Harte Stephanus's circle were probably around the age of ten, eleven, maybe twelve. It meant that Dawin, inches taller than most of the kids in his own year, looked like a giant among dwarves sitting near the edge of the circle. He'd tried to hide himself halfway between Harte's chair and a table laden with food, but the stork that he was, he had little to no success.

Fortunately, after the first few minutes of awkward discomfort, he was so absorbed into the tale that he entirely forgot to be embarrassed. He just sat with one of his journals opened, turned to the back, and a pen twisting around in his left hand, staring at the ex-Seventen with the same kind of fascination as the younger boys.

What? His story was interesting.

((Too many posts ... in between ... gah. *flails* I will mostly catch up here ... Sorry for slightly lame reply?))

While Naul might've found Athrym's tipsiness entertainingly endearing, he'd decided that he'd gotten quite drunk enough a few nights ago with the boys. He was sure he didn't want to get that guttered again for a while.

He watched Nath approach, nodding a sort of head bow in greeting but not really sure what to say, choosing instead to return his attention to Alisiona as he was handed his first gift of the evening. Grinning, he ventured genuinely,

"Oh, chimes, this is really nice. You're going to force me to play at fashion conscious. How considerate." The boy taunted, though it was obvious by his expression that he enjoyed it. He eyed Athrym's gift from Alisiona again with a smile; it was, of course, suiting.

Then the blonde insisted the red-head stay and Naul nodded, "No running off yet, indeed. I think I was out of my league this year, buying actual gifts for everyone. I've got one for you, believe it or not." He chuckled and fished in his vest pocket and removed a small gift, wrapped in lime green tissue paper. The boy had always felt rather lame in the gift-giving department and this year was definitely the first he'd put out any real effort, for obvious reasons.

Alisoina's present was a delicate hair pin in the shape of a dragonfly, complete with wings. It was mostly peridot, bright green like her eyes. Naul pretended not to be awkward about it, adding nonchalantly, "I thought it would match your penchant for the Gardens, and, now that you're hair's short, you need something to keep it out of your eyes, right?"

He smirked, looking at Athrym through his bangs, "I have your gift too, if you want it now."

If it was possible for Harper to look more surprised, Triston wasn't sure how.

"Triston, how did you..." He blinked, taking the book. It was a book about steam locomotives. How did she know he liked trains? It didn't occur to him that his affinity for gadgets was so obvious. But he was wondering instead how she could have afforded a book at all. For a moment he had an awful thought - had she stolen it? But he pushed that out of his mind. Triston wasn't the sort of person to do that.

He decided that his curiosity could wait; it would only come off as rude. "This is wonderful, thank you," he said sincerely, bowing his head a little. "I, er...I don't have anything for you...or anyone, at all," he added quickly, embarrassed. "I...actually forgot it was St. Grumbles until this morning. Rain comes quicker every year..."

Glancing around, he had an idea.

"Er, listen, if it'll make it up to you, let me borrow you for a bit," he said. "I need to get out of here, and...you look like you could use a break yourself. How's that?"

----


Ellie appeared near Nauleth's left side, breathless with excitement. She had been chasing Grumble. Although she was getting a bit too old for it, it was still fun; she worried about the day when she would no longer enjoy seeing the unlucky and be-tailed Grumble fall flat on his face, piled upon by screaming children.

Far from looking elegant, she was dressed in an old purple sun dress; it was fading to blue, and earlier she had heard a few students remark that they had mistaken her for a servant. It stung a little, especially since her field wasn't growing as fast as it should have been, but today was the best day of the year, and she wasn't about to let them spoil it for her.

"Hullo, everyone," she said, catching her breath and composing herself. She grinned at Athrym and Alisoina. "Happy Grumble's! Athrym, you look so happy today."

Nathaniel was surprised. Over two weeks with no word and the first thing Ali wanted to do with him was give him a gift! Obviously, his coming was largely unanticipated, so of course Ali or anyone would have anything for him, if gift giving were a regular thing.

He was unused to gift-exchanging with close friends and felt more than a little awkward at the potential prospect of receiving at least one gift when he himself was unprepared for giving any sort of gifts. He just simply had no idea beforehand, otherwise maybe things would be going smoother now.

All the same though, he felt somewhat good about being accepted despite the long string of ill-timed events that have led up to this point. He gave Ali a slight smile after he downed the rest of his Green Madhouse and shook his head a little harder than he intended (probably the booze).

"Ali, that's all right. I've been a horrible friend and I don't deserve a gift. I am satisfied just to be here tonight," he said firmly, and meant every word. He paused to flag down another passive and collected another drink for himself for the evening: a shot of Vulker's Sap.

"To be honest, I didn't know there was any gift-giving to be had, otherwise I would be less imposing this evening," he spoke frankly, taking a small swig of his drink. "It's really quite okay. We both can just remember for a next time."

The gifts being exchanged were really beautiful...and personal. Nathaniel couldn't remember for the life of him the last time he gave or received any personal gifts from any one outside of his family....My family...
He frowned slightly at the unexpected mental segue. This had a really dampening effect on the moment.

Quickly, he took another swig of his mixed drink and attempted to put the train of thought out of his mind. If only for tonight.

Athrym grinned, looking at Naul as Alisoina was handed the gift. She had no idea what the boy had bought her best friend, but it would more than likely be a good gift. Naul was very good at gifts. Her giddy smile took on a slightly glazed look as she remembered the last gift he'd given her. Request for intent to marry. It was all just fantastic!



The blonde shook herself out of her little memory, grinning again.

"Can I? I have yours here t-"



The blue eyed, half gioran looked at Ellie and laughed, impulsivly reaching out to hug the girl around the shoulders briefly.

"Hello Ellie! Have you been chasing the Grumble? If you catch him, give him a kick for me." Chuckling, she tilted her head.

"I look happy? Gosh, I must be a real grump most of the time when I am around you. Sorry for that Elle-Bel." The drunk, but affectionate nickname fell out with a giggle. Suddenly her eyes opened wide.

"Gifts! I have..hang on!" Reaching behind her again, she fished out a dark blue wrapped box and a forest green one. Turning back, she thrust the blue one at Ellie.

"For you, my smart little friend!" Inside, Ellie would find a curious metal octagon that seemed to break into four pieces. Each piece had a monite symbol inscribed on the top, but if Ellie tried to pull it apart, she would find it wouldn't work. Athrym grinned.
(( http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5 ... AA280_.jpg))

"It's a puzzle of sorts. I don't even know how to do it, but your pretty smart, I think you can do it. And you have to show me when you do." Turning to face Naul, she grinned, kissing him on the cheek as she handed over the green box.

"I hope its alright." Inside, Nauleth would find a very detailed carving of what appeared to be a church or a temple, made out of a dark glossy granite. The piece didn't appear to have a single mark to suggest the use of tools, and some of the carving was so fine, Naul would have to lift it close to his face to look at it. Through carved lattice doors, he would see little tiny carved people, some kneeling in prayer, others holding their hands up to what appeared to be a half carved statue. Even the little people had faces, full of expression and life. The girl tucked her fringe behind her ear.

"Its supposed to be from Hox, carved by the use of magic alone. I thought you might like it."

Triston chuckled, it was so like Harper to forget a holiday. Nothing in her demeanor showed disappointment for not getting a gift, mostly because she hadn't expected one anyway.
It would have been nice, though.



The passive blinked a little, as if processing what had been said. A break? Thinking about it, she realized that would be nice, especially since the deeper into the night it got, the more likely messes would be made. She didn't want to be around for that.

"You know, I think I could use a break." Triston agreed, once again leaning against the mop. She always needed a break because she always wanted a break. It occurred to her she didn't know where they were going, but she didn't bother to ask. She'd know soon enough anyway.

Athrym's gift was... beyond words. Beyond anything she had expected, ever, even in wild daydreams. Hurriedly tucking her purse under one arm, she fidgeted until she managed to get the clasp done, and with a happy sigh, held her wrist up to the light. The red gems sparkled brilliantly, and perhaps for the first time since she was a child, Alisoina was completely happy.

Her eyes welled up with tears for a moment, but she fought them back with a grin wide enough to make her teeth hurt. "Oh Athrym it's so lovely! Thank you--" She was ecstatic to the point of gushing, so she silenced herself with another drought of the cobbler. Usually drinks cooled her down, but this one seemed to exacerbate the blush on her cheeks.


Ali had indeed tried to run off, her eyes already on the door, but she was so flustered at Athrym's lovely gift that she merely nodded and waited. She unwrapped Naul's gift with an equal amount of happy disregard, and ger smile brightened as she saw the lovely jewels. Pinning it into her hair next to the black ribbon, she babbled happily. "Oh, Nauleth! It's perfect! It'll keep my bangs out of my eyes, and so pretty! Thank you!"

Ellie's arrival also saved Ali from having to find her later. Pulling the purse out once again, she rummaged through it until she came upon the young girl's gift. She knew the girl was an avid reader of fairy tales, as their rather inauspicious first meeting had proven, and with some aplomb, the redhead smiled at Ellie.

"Elle! Come here, I also have your gift!" The costume shop had some lovely fans with pictures on them, though none of them seemed to fit with Ali's idea for her small friend. So, purchasing a blank fan, she had taken it to her arts class and with the help of the instructor, painted a scene just for the growing Ellie.

On one side of the the fan was a winding set of landscapes, a hilltop castle flowing into moors and in it's center a beautiful moa of rainbow colors, it's rider a blazing brunette beauty, book in one arm and sword in the other.

On the reverse side was a sandy beach and a setting sun over the ocean, and a ship with three gorgeous pirate queens, two smaller figures, one of red hair, the other possessing pale blonde locks, decked in red and icy blue respectively. At the forefront another brunette vision toting a pistol and looking glass, her own flowing blouse of a lovely sea-green. The thing was of amateur quality, with the figures far more stylized than realistic, but there was so much color and affection put into each part that it shone radiantly.


Turning back to Nathaniel, it wasn't without a swell of some emotion. She was happy, why should she run off...? Because if you stay here you'll lose the happy feeling and it'll ruin the night. So, she firmly shook her head, quite certain to make good on her escape.

"It's very kind of you to offer, but the guilt would kill me! No no no. I must go get it for you. I shall return shortly!" She made a quick curtsy and then spun off, in search of fresh air and a moment to gather her swirling thoughts together.

(( viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1909 <- continues here for Ali for a bit!))

Ellie squealed. It was a most unladylike sound.

"Eeeeee! Athrym, Ali, thank you! This puzzle is so lovely...and Alisoina, my gosh, did you paint this? This is beautiful! Oh, a moa! And a pirate ship!" She did a little dance, her face all red from the compliments Athrym had given her, as well as seeing herself depicted as such a heroine on the fan.

"I'll have to get my presents for all of you, too! Only a tick, they're in my spare jumper."

She smiled and hurried away, clutching her precious gifts.

-----

Professor Moore stood up. He couldn't see the Matron, but he supposed he would just have to tell her later why he had absconded with her mop girl. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.

"It's a bit rainy out for Ratio," said Moore hesitantly. "He might catch cold. Perhaps we should take him up to the infirmary first, so the nurses can watch him."

Motioning to Triston to follow, he began to head for the doors of Cherry Hall, incidentally passing by Athrym and her group right as Ellie ran past. He didn't notice any of them; his eyes were watching the young child carefully, lest young Horation wake up and cry from all the noise.