[Castalia]

"I'll have a white wine please" Castalia replied to the waiter that had come over to Alieh and herself. Then turning to Alieh again she said "You ply the harp really well, how long have you been doing this?"

Meanwhile the waiter came back with a a sherry and a wine. Castalia took both glasses of the tray and held out the sherry to Alieh.

[Alieh]

Alieh took the Sherry and smiled at Castalia. She was about to reply when she sensed something. Looking round her eyes sharpened and she searched the crowd, but she could see - how odd, she had been sure that it was -

She shook her head. You're imagining it She sipped the Sherry and turned back to Castalia. "I've been playing music since I was five, but I was fourteen when I learned the harp. This is my first public preformance, I was terrified, but it seems okay."

[Aldea]

As they entered the cave, Aldea was immediately hit by the cheery atmosphere. She let go of her escort's hand, gave him a quick peck on the cheek before wandering off to get a drink. There were lots of people here already, none of which she knew, which wasn't surprising since she didn't want to socialise much anyway. Not while I'm on the run at least. She thought to herself. Grabbing a drink from a passing waiter's tray, she seated herself infront of the musicians.

As she sat down, something in her dress caught her eye. On her left leg, which was also the leg that was showing through the split in her dress, she had bound her knife pouch and it was poking out of her dress. She sighed and tucked it back in. Always be prepared, I always say. She thought. Though how the heck I'm gonna run in this dress properly I'll never know.

[Usagi]

Usagi sadly at Rita's offer. It was such a tragic accident to lose her flute, something that took such great care to make especially for her could never be replaced just like that. Anyway, even if she did have it, it had been such a long time since she had last played it she probably would've sounded a bit rusty.

"Well, that doesn't stop you singing, why don't you come sing with us, you have a nice voice. I don't suppose you know the words, but I bet Alieh has then written down somewhere."

"Okay, I'll do that. I hope I don't sound too fussy, but could I possibly have the manuscript, or maybe you could play it once through? I find it much more easier to sing something once I know the tune."

[NPC]

((Rita, played by Amber))

Rita smiled, "Of course." She moved over to where she had been playing a minute ago and, sure enough, Alieh had a copy of the words beside her harp. Knowing she wouldn't mind she picked them up and handed them to Usagi. "Here, these are the words, I'll sing it first, and you just follow the words, and then you can try."

She moved towards her violin and then changed her mind and headed back "I had better play the harp seeing as it's the prominent instrument in the song," She sat down at the harp and started to play. However her skill with the harp wasn't as good as it was with the violin, and she occasionaly plucked the wrong string. Unfortunatly Alieh was talking with someone else so Rita would have to play, none the less, she used her voice to cover up any mistakes and managed to get through the hole piece and still sound good. "There we go, you ready to try on your own?"

[Tom]

Tom nodded at Scarlett.

"I'll let her know." He listened as the girls chatted about the christmas menu. When Scarlett mentioned she hadn't had a proper christmas meal for a long time, Tom realised it was the same for him. Not since he'd ran away from home had he had even a casual christmas dinner. He was quite looking forward to it. And Scarlett would be there as well as Piper, making it a proper family affair. Tom just hoped the rows that traditionally came with christmas would stay away.

"So, what are we doing for entertainment tonight then sis?" Tom asked. He'd enjoyed listening to the harp player, but wondered if his sister had anything else planned.

[Scarlett]

Scarlett smiled when Tom promised to tell Piper that she was asking after her. Taking in the crowd, it seemed that it had grown considerably, several girls, including a fledging at the Crypt - Chris, had arrived with escort's, and Scarlett was pleased to see they were having a good time. Making a mental note to look out for them, Scarlett turned back to Tom.

"Well, I don't want to ruin the suprise.. but there may be a dance contest later. You could enter you know?"

Scarlett teased Tom, unsure as to how capable his dancing talents were. As she laughed, she noticed water out of the corner of her eye, spiralling, she saw that there was a man provoking the Imps, or vice versa. Turning back to the group, she spoke,

"Aah.. excuse me for a moment."

Striding across the floor, she headed directly for the Imps and the man who was throwing water at them. Walking up behind him, her annoyance grew even further as his disappeared into the crowd. Following him, she eventually caught up with him taking a glass of Sherry from a waiter. Reaching out, Scarlett went to tap him on the shoulder, and hissed,

"Excuse me - what exactly do you think your doing?"

Scarlett posed, hand on hip, daring this stranger to ruin her, and the others involved, carefully planned evening. She didn't know this guy, but for all she cared he could be Xanth's husband - there was no reason to ruin others fun.

[Daoine]

As Scarlett mentioned a dance contest, Daoine's thoughts drifted back to her younger years. Her parents made her take dancing lessons, and although she hated it at first later it became quite a hobby for her. She'd even gotten pretty good at it, won some contests with her partner. But as the years passed her interests had changed and although her mother always thought it was a shame, Daoine had put dancing on a sidetrack. By now it had been 2 or maybe even 3 years since she'd last had a real dance. And she doubted she'd have one tonight.

As Scarlett excused herself, Daoine looked to Tom. This was deja-vu, at the Halloween party they'd spend a better part of the evening chatting aswell. "So how is the petshop? Still planning to sell it?"

[Usagi]

{{OOC: Meow, I'm just making this up as I go along, hope you don't mind but I'm a first soprano at school and I sorta want Usagi to sorta 'take after me' and be a first instead of second, if you know what I mean ^.~}}

{{Double OOC: Okay, I think that makes better sense now ^.^}}

Usagi nodded as she took the lyrics off Rita. As she sat down and began, to play, the tune just slotted together and she soon found herself humming along. When the piece had finished Rita had suggested that she should try on her own.

"I'll give it a go, I might be a bit shakey thought."

As she began, she knew she'd gone wrong already as she was singing in a higher pitch than Rita had, or maybe the lower tune just didn't suit her. But whatever it was, it did dishearten Usagi a bit. But as the song rolled on, she began enjoying the song and just let the words flow out.

[Castalia]

Castalia nodded to Alieh. "For your first public performance, you're doing a great job. I'm looking forward to hearing you play some more later, that's for sure."

Then she looked around, over time some more people had come in. Most of them she didn't know but she recognized a face here and there. Carefully taking a sip of her drink she asked Alied "So what's your favorite piece of music?".

[Alieh]

Alieh wasn't sure, "Well, although when I'm playng public I play classical most, I'm mostly into guitar songs. I think my favorite would probably be 'This Boy.' Of course, I love classical too, but I preffer stuff with a catchy tune.

that was one of the things her father detested. He supported her learning instruments, but he only considered certain things 'instruments.' He was fully in legue with her learning piano and the harp, but he considered instruments like the guitar and harmonica 'peasant trash.' This was nonsense of course, one of the many many reasons she had left home.

"What about you? What music do you like?"

[Niles]

Niles started to walk over somewhere to sit down when somebody tapped his shoulder, he turned, expecting to see somebody he knew, he instead found a woman he'd certainly never met. "Excuse me - what exactly do you think your doing?"

Niles was confused, "What.....?" Suddenly he clicked, "oh, you mean the thing with the water? They spat on me!" He showed her his now damp hair. "They had it coming, after all, tehy did start it."

The words had sounded just in his head, but when he said them he just sounded like a baby. He sighed, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, It won't happen again," he smiled at her, trying to convince her he was being truthful.

[Scarlett]

Scarlett smiled as she watched the man's face - she had suspected that the Imp's could have been the one's doing the provoking - and the expression on this strangers face, as babyish as it might have been for a brief second, told her everything she needed to know. Reaching out to touch his arm, she reassured him,

"I'm sorry for assuming, and don't you worry - I don't find it hard to believe that it was the Imp's fault. They don't like their costumes much. I'm just a bit tense - what with being one of the organisers of this whole night.. I'm Scarlett by the way."

Scarlett took in the man as she spoke, slightly embarassed to have so rude to somebody who was actually very intriguing - not only had he been polite, but he was also good looking, and the mixture of the two fanned Scarlett's interest.

[Niles]

((G-mod of Imps with permission)

Niles smiled, "I'm Niles." He looked over Scarletts should at the Imps who seemed to be taking turned to bunjee jump off the rock. Looking back at Scarlett he smiled again, "You helped organised this? It's amazing!" He said, looking round at the various things decorating, what with teh Imps and then Alieh he hadn't had time to take it in until now.

"You did an amazing job," He said finaly, he considered asking if she knew Alieh, he'd heard she'd help organise too, but he changed his mind, he didn't want to talk, or eve think about his sister right now.

[Scarlett]

Scarlett blushed at Nile's compliments, she recieved few, and when she did, she was always unsure how to react. Realising she couldn't just stand there, silent, she managed to think of a almost intelligent response.

"Thanks - I'm glad people like it. I couldn't have done it all alone though."

Scarlett looked around the room, half thinking about asking Niles to dance, but then she'd never met him before, and didn't even know if he was the dancing type - eventually she figured that if he wanted to dance he would. He seemed like somebody who knew his own mind - after all, not many people responded to the Imps, choosing to run away - usually embarassed.

[Niles]

Niles looked at her, "You could have done it alone? Who helped you?" he asked, smiling, it was nice to finaly be having a normal conversation, he and Alieh hadn't been getting along too well, and Kaida, for one thing she wasn't anywhere to be found, and secondly she had a lot going on, so they could never have a normal chat.

Forgetting he had already asked a question he asked, "You been in Elysia long?"

[Scarlett]

Scarlett swayed slightly to the music, looking around for what seemed the umpteeth time that evening, she sighed happily, so far - no problems, and most people seemed to be having a good time. Shaking her head, she laughed at the thought of preparing all this alone,

"I had a lot of help actually, one of the girls was over there - Alieh."

Scarlett gestured to where the musical group sat as she spoke, still in awe of their talents, although since she had last looked Alieh had moved. Wondering where she had gone, Scarlett moved her head slightly, wanting to get rid of thoughts that would distract her.

"I've been in Elysia for about 3 months now - in fact I'm suprised I haven't seen you around. Have you been here long?"

Scarlett twirled her hair somewhat anxiously, she was worried that he would be bored their conversation - after all, she had never really been one for small talk. She knew it was pathetic, but she wanted him to like her - mainly because she was tired of being the one that was always lonely, but also because he was attractive, and good to converse with.

[NPC]

Rita nodded and began to play the harp, listening to Usagi, she started out a little off, but that was probably just confidence because she got much better after a few moments and eventualy she was rolling off the tune effortlessly. Rita began to enjoy the music herself and she started to play less wrong notes, although still not quite playing at the proffessional level she did with her violin.

When the song reached it's end Rita beamed, "I was right, you have an exellent voice, want to try a few more? She motioned to the piles of songs Alieh had. Picked them up curiously she flicked through them, "man, it's like kariokie book, she has millions!" She exclaimed. "She'd got classical, rock, pop, punk, everything." She whistled.

[Niles]

Niles nodded, what he'd thought confirmed "She's my sister, actualy." He smiled, and pointed to her, having spotted her earlier, he knew where she was. "Although, we're not really talking right now." He said, memories of that day in the desert flooding back. He shook his head to get rid of them, he wasn't here to worry, he was just here... Why was he here? He wasn't sure, he was having a pretty good time now he was here, but why he'd actualy decided to come, he wasn't sure.

"I've been here a little longer, I'm not sure exactly how long though, it was in the summer sometime." Has it really been that long? "I'm surprised too, I thought I'd come to know almost everyone, but evidently not."

"Although I have been keeping to my sanctuary a lot recently, so unless you're a nymph or a shifter I supposed it's to be expected."

[Scarlett]

Scarlett could symphasise with Niles as he spoke - she remembered how hard it had been for her when Tom and her hadn't spoken. She just hoped that him and Alieh were not speaking because of a trivial thing, and that it would be sorted soon, rather than taking over as year as it did for her and Tom. Noticing Nile's attempt to change the subject she decided to persue the point no further - after all, it was none of her business.

"Well I doubt you'd have seen much of me, I attended the Halloween Ball but other than that I tend to be at work, or in my flat. Or of course my sanctuary, kind of goes with the job."

Scarlett smiled as she spoke, wondering if Niles had noticed she was a vampire. Judging by what he said, she knew he was either a Nymph or a Shifter. She thought it likely that it was the latter, attractive he may be, but he didn't display Nymph like qualities.

"So.. are you ok standing here? Or would you like to get a drink? Maybe dance..."

Scarlett trailed off at the last point, she was aware of how forward she was being, but somehow, what with the alcohol, as well as how well the night was going she just couldn't control her mouth 100%.