Completed New Year's Party! (Part 2)

[Garland]

"Alright Sayana, if you want I can tell the party-goers the news later." He said with a smile and turned his attention back to the half-drunk April. "I swear, you're so bad for me, but I just can't stop." He said and kissed her forehead.

The entire party was almost a blur, all his thoughts were about April right now and her passenger. He probably won't make a good parent, but he will do whatever he can, and to the best that he can do. He looked up from April and saw that Orin had decided to mingle with the people, that was good, Orin needed friends, and what better place to find friends than a party?

Garland took a drink out of his mug and watched as Devi, who was sporting a beautiful dress and had her hair down, walk towards Orin and his small group. Garland had said that she was beautiful before, but now, she was... more feminine, and seemed more graceful. He could feel the alcohol start to take effect, a small red tinge on his face.

He heard a tiny yet boisterous voice followed in and tiny scampering paws. "Nivel! Hey! How ya doin'!?" He said and dragged April along to where Nivel was, grabbing a few fish fillets as they ran pass it. The calculating, relatively silent demeanor was now gone, buried under the alcohol and the fish stuffed in his mouth.

"Heay! Gais!" He said to Devi, Orin, Sayana and Nivel. He waved at the corgi kelvic. "Hai Patcha!" He let go of April and let her roam around. "April! No more drinking! Save some for the good wine at least!" He said to the mischievous pirate. "Ugh... Who am I kidding, she won't listen."

He smiled and saw Sayana start tossing Nivel in the air, and the small Pycon started doing some aerial tricks. If Garland's hands weren't full he would have clapped at Nivel. He looked at the doorway, seeing something that made him panic. Treachery had come to the party, he had no qualms with the Zith, in fact, he saved plenty of squires during the Yukman hunt, even his own life at one point.

As expected Sayana raised her voice, threatening Treachery to leave, though he expected her to either grab a knife or shrink back, and not just tell at him. Garland stepped in between Sayana and Treachery. "Sayana, I know you don't like Zith, but Treachery had done right by me, and Nivel. At least let him stay until the new years and then I'll escort him out myself." He offered, he owed the Zith that much at least.

Garland saw Orin's slightly shocked expression, he swore that he saw Orin when they started the hunt, and when Treachery was doing his work. "If Treachery hurts anybody here or gets too... rowdy, I'll escort him out."

He understood if Sayana didn't want Treachery around, and he and Nivel were both willing to leave the party early for their friend, he didn't like choosing between friends, but he wanted to make Treach feel welcome in Syliras, and kicking him out of a party didn't seem to nice, but Sayana was the host and there was nothing they could do if she asked him to leave.

[Alexander Ross]

Alexander Ross The tension was indeed very thick. So thick, in fact, that it nearly made it impossible to breathe. Before Alex knew it, adrenaline began to course through his viens, seeming to make the awkward moment stretch out even longer. He grasped the hilt of his sword so tightly, his knuckles ached and began to turn white. He never liked moments like this. It always signaled that something very bad would happen soon, if no one made a move. It was then that an Akalak over six feet tall approached and addressed the Zith. Though this time, the creature was addressed in a formal warning manner, but Alex couldn't call it non-hostile. He knew the Akalaks fairly well, and it was never a good thing to get on their bad side. What ever quarrel they had with the Zith, it would probably benefit him greatly, along with the rest of the party guests, if the creature left. Alex was surprised when the Pycon suddenly spoke up, defending the Zith and addressing him as "Tretchie". It was obvious that these two have some sort of history, and by the looks of it, it seems as if there could be a major disagreement if they threw a party guest out. To his relief, one of the other guestsWith a nervous sigh, the boy stepped back. He had absolutely no interest in quarrels like these, even though he was a squire. And it may lessen the chances of a bloodbath if someone of authority became involved. He stepped back near Claudia. "Do you have any idea what this is about?" He asked her in a hushed voice, observing the situation.

[Sayana]

Sayana glared at the zith as if daring him to speak but in the next moment Aren had appeared at her side and was reaching for her hand. She gripped it tightly partly out of comfort but partly because she wasn’t sure how the Akalak would react. She wanted the zith gone, not murdered before her eyes with blood all over her house. But surprisingly the blue warrior kept his cool and calmly repeated Sayana’s desire to see the creature leave her house. Friend. Sayana rolled her eyes at his last word since it was clearly used out of courtesy than any real meaning. However, when Nivel piped up, Sayana was completely surprised by her genuine tone and loyalty as the pycon regarded the creature as her friend. “Nivel?? No, don’t leave. How do you know…?” The Eypharian was momentarily lost for words and her gaze darted quickly to the creature as she tried to comprehend it all. But he was a zith, and in Syliras no less. He could probably eat Nivel in one bite. Well maybe squish her instead. Sayana wasn’t too sure if Nivel was even flesh. But then another surprising thing happened. Garland stepped between the Eypharian and the Zith. At first Sayana thought he was just doing his squirely duty to keep any weapons from being drawn or claws coming out but then he also sided with the zith. “Garland, you’re friends with this creature too? You said his name is Tretchie, or Treachery, as in Betrayal??” Sayana spat angrily at the squire. How fitting. Like the betrayal friends when you least expect it. She felt hurt and confused. She gripped Aren’s hand more tightly. At least he was there and on her side. “So Garland, you think I should welcome this zith, this creature, into my home with open arms and give him the food and wine that I bought and treat him with love and kindness when one of his kind enslaved and raped me for almost two petching seasons??” Sayana continued angrily at her friend and emphasized the zith with an accusing finger. “Fine, I will,” Sayana answered in a tone that was far too light. “He can stay till the new year. But I’ll be doing that celebration and toast now.” There was a sense of finality in her tone as she turned her back on her friends to retrieve the bottle of good wine. In the past when she had celebrated the new year, it was often outside or easy enough to get outside so that the celebrations might be timed with the changing of the watchtower. And if that failed sometimes an eypharian would bring some kind of time device to the party. But since she had no such device and there wasn’t even a window in her apartment to check where Leth was in the sky, Sayana felt fully entitled to dictate the time of such proceedings. Sayana opened the bottle with a pop and raised her high hands to get everyone’s attention. “We’ll be taking a moment to honor the passing of the Valterrian, and celebrate the survival of all and the beginning of the new year,” she announced to the party. “Everyone, finish what’s in your old cup, or get a new cup if you don’t have one and I’ll pour out the good wine.” She started to go around to everyone pouring a little bit in each cup or tankard to make sure it wouldn’t run out. She only now realized just how many people had come out and despite the episode with the zith, she was quite proud of how things had turned out. As she went around she gestured for people not to drink just yet and also took a moment to wash her sticky high hands from holding Nivel. Suddenly remembering the little pycon, she gulped down the ale that had been used as a ‘tub’ and refilled the cup with a bit of wine. She very hesitantly gave the zith some wine but she was not about to go back on her word. At last she filled her own cup and held it the air to get everyone’s attention. “I would first like to acknowledge those who suffered and perished in the Valterrian. It was long ago but there are some of us who may distantly or closely know someone impacted by the great disaster. I would next like to thank the gods and goddesses for watching over us at that time of crisis, for helping our people survive, and by giving us hope. And lastly, to the new year. May it be grand and full of life, and it better be bloody warmer than this winter. To life, to love, and many new surprises.” She tapped her cup gently against those of her friends and took a sip to the new year. “Would anyone else like to make a speech or a toast in dedication to the new year?” OOCThere’s 12 tankards/cups and 13 PCs. Someone will have to share. OOCI couldn’t find much lore on Mizahar new year celebrations so I hope you don’t mind that it’s rather heavily modeled after Earthly traditions.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin Fenix Food Equals Love Orin’s entreaty for Treachery to enter was drowned out in the much larger outcry. Sayana’s shout startled Orin into silence and he took a few steps backwards to avoid the confrontation. Sayana seemed to have some sort of history with Zith in general, and potentially Treachery in specific. The reactions to Treachery were incredibly varied, but Sayana’s anger seemed to be the strongest. However, everyone there seemed to have his or her own opinion on the Zith. Some obviously had never seen a Zith before, some hated Zith as a race and simply reacted by putting hands to weapons, and some people followed the actions of others. By far the most worrisome was the divide forming between Treachery’s friends and his enemies. Aren and Sayana lead the faction opposed to the Zith’s presence while Garland and Nivel were championing his right to be there. It was quickly shaping up to be an ugly situation. Orin was worried that this time, unlike his prior spat with Aren, bloodshed might be inevitable now. However, with a show of what Orin felt was amazing grace, if just a bit of ill humor, Sayana backed down. He breathed a sigh of relief when she went to make a toast. Orin hadn’t grabbed a cup of anything and he had no intention of starting now. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol since his father’s death and he wasn’t about to start now. Even something so innocent as a toast to the new year could have unforeseen consequences. While he would never admit this, Orin was terrified that he would share his father’s addiction and follow down on the same destructive path. So, to stay safe, he absolve from alcohol entirely. Orin cheered loudly when Sayana’s rather impassioned speech was finished. He was genuinely happy they had made it through another year, but mostly he was glad that the previous ugliness had sorted it out without injury or death. Still there was much to be thankful for beyond that, and Orin sent up his own private prayer to the gods. He wasn’t one for public speaking and no force or amount of money could compel him to make a toast in front of all these people. Especially since he wasn’t even holding anything. Making his way through the crowd, Orin tried to move to the hearth without attracting too much attention. Hoping everything would settle down to at least a semblance of normalcy, Orin bent to take the pan with the ham out from where it had been sitting. While it could have probably cooked a little longer, no one would die from it at this point. Orin had a vague idea that everyone would feel better with some food in their stomachs. At the very least, if they were holding plates and forks they wouldn’t be able to grab a weapon as easily. So, maybe Orin could do his own part to diffuse the tension. Snagging one of the now empty plates of bread and cheese, Orin placed the pan and the plate side by side. Taking up his carving knife, he began slicing pieces of the ham and layering them on the plate. There was a faint steam rising from each piece and the ham looked nicely pink. And it smelled absolutely heavenly. Waiting for a lull in the chatter, Orin nervously piped up. ”Feel free to keep making toasts but I just thought I’d let you all know that the ham’s done, in case you didn’t know already. So, if you want some come and get it! Plenty for everyone so no need to rush over here. Fresh from the oven, or well, hearth fire but well the sentiment is there. Happy new year to everyone. To new friends and new beginnings.” Despite his warning that they had enough, Orin braced himself for the stampede of people he was sure were heading for him any second now. Also, he felt he needed to add something in the spirit of the holiday, since he was speaking up anyway.

[Claudia Blackwood]

The tricky situation regarding the Zith named Treachery was beginning to turn into something resembling a conundrum. Two different sides had formed representing the opposing sides of the confrontation. The side that supported the Zith were those consisting of the Pycon Nivel, the squire Garland, who probably knew him or were his friends.

The other side which wanted him gone, included their hostess, Sayana and her blue-skinned lover, Aren. Claudia could feel that Alex felt the same way, from the way he gripped his sword. Although she wasn't too familiar with a Zith, nor had she met one in person, she decided to stand on the side opposing the Zith, together with Alex and the rest. That and she also wasn't exactly thinking straight right now.

It seemed like the party was about to end soon. Claudia had gone through at least four tankards of ale so far. She was already beginning to feel the effects of being tipsy. It was also then that Sayana called for the toast to begin. She thought to herself, Was it midnight already? That was quick. Unknowing to the fact that Sayana had brought the time of the toast forward.

With a loud 'POP' that made her jump, the wine was open. Ah, wine. Open. More drinking. Oh good. She giggled to herself as thought about it. Then, Sayana called for all the empty the cups for the pouring of the wine. Downing the remainder of her ale, she held out her tankard for some wine. She resisted the temptation to drink the wine just yet, just staring at the reddish coloured liquid like it was something foreign. She then looked up at Holland, her face incredibly flushed a deep shade of crimson from the effects of the wine, resembling somewhat like a tomato. She gave him a slight wave saying "Hey Holland, I have wine!"

The hostess then gave her New Year's speech. She wasn't exactly listening to everything, her mind already drifting due to the effects of the alcohol. Something about perishing, god and goddesses and surviving. And bloody warmer. Heh, she let out another chuckle, as that was how she felt right now. Bloody warm. She could somewhat hear someone cheering in the distance, and it sounded like that cook, Orin. He then called out to everyone, indicating that the ham that he had been cooking and resting for almost the entire night was ready. "The ham!" she said, and staggered towards him, offering him her empty plate. "Ham."

[Lorden Ladis]

Warm light coalesced through the folds of Lorden's cloth clothes, as his booted feet carried him through the castle corridor, scraping audibly against the stone underfoot, as his legs extended and folded back behind him.

As the knight walked he could feel his muscles beginning to wire themselves, as his stomach squeezed against its vital contents, in a mix anticipation and trepidation.

I just need to calm down, I've been in worse situations. One's that didn't promise free food, and whatever else Lhex has in store, Lorden berated himself, really, he knew why he was nervous; he'd always been this way. Back when he was a squire, it was only due to a stroke of luck that he had any friends at all; and because of Willow. Lorden shook his head.

Damn it, this is ridiculous, the swordsman forced a smile on himself, pushing down the painful memories that were beginning to bubble up, from the dark folds of his mind.

I'm going to drink, I'm going to eat, and I'm going to have a petching good time, Lorden informed himself, trying to beat the revelation into his throbbing heart. Allowing his thoughts to trail off, Lorden turned his head, to glance at what appeared to be a flyer, starring at the paper the knight stopped his walk.

This it? he questioned himself, reading the words, of the paper poster; that was very much similar to the flyers he had been following the whole time. His eyes lighting up, Lorden tilted his nose upward.

Meat, the knight turned to follow his sense of smell, his stomach now momentarily ceased its cringing, to growl almost audibly. Taking a few steps, he came upon an open door. Looking around, he slowly tucked his curious head in.

Must be the pla-

Bloody shyke, what the petch is that thing? Lorden thought, his dominant hand twitching by his scabbard, on its own accord. The swordsman didn't reach for his blade, but his brow did furrow. Taking in the furry beast, standing right in the middle of the party, Lorden's mouth almost dropped as well.

Suddenly, the knight's more than open ears caught tell of a popping sound, the knight glanced up from the Zith almost without thinking. Still confused, Lorden starred on at the multi-armed woman, who appeared to be dictating to the room. And what a room it was, the knight noted.

A blue man, a fuzzy monster, is there something on that dog? the twenty year old was practically wide-eyed, and had heard none of the toast, it was only by chance that his hungry mind picked up on the word 'ham'. Stepping into the room, Lorden glanced around the decorated abode, never allowing his eyes to drift too far, before the blue orbs jumped back to the monstrous form, who was standing right in the middle of the apartment, unmolested.

Are the drinks even worth it... Lorden sighed, figuring he might as well see why no one else seemed to be flabbergasted, at the strange gathering of guests.

[Treachery]

The Zith couldn't help smile when Nivel chirped up at the man, happily offering him her dogs company before wandering off to cause mischief. The Pycon was amusing in her own way and fascinating to observe. It worried him slightly when the clay woman face planted it into a mug, merrily calling at him. Shaking his head bemused the Zith was beaten to her aid by a person he hadn't expected to see. Suddenly all mirth had vanished from his feature as the six armed woman carefully retrieved and juggled his friend.. Concern for the clay woman's safety flashed across his mind as he mentally noted how different 'Sayana' sounded when she wasn't threatening a man at knife point. His attention switch back to the young man, who might as well have been bathing in onion juice for all Treach's nose could tell. He seemed nervous, timid and out of place but was trying to welcome him inside. Reaching out to shake the hand offered, the Zith physically jumped as Sayana exploded at him. The sound was not welcome to his sensitive ears. Immediately covering them, Treachery took a wobbly step backwards towards the door. His head was spinning like a wheel as nausea lurked in the unwelcome distance. The shouting had also brought him to the focus of the party and already the wary had hands on weapons. A giant of a man, blue as the sky, appeared next to the loud female worry marring his face. He brought the word 'Akalak' to mind but Teachery couldn't tell what it meant in relation to the male. Focusing on the lump of blue muscle, the zith used him as a point of stability easing his breathing as the dizziness went. The man had spoken at him but with his ears covered and attentions elsewhere, the Zith hadn't heard his words. Nivel certainly had and began yelling at couple at a tolerable volume for his adjusting ears. It was hard for someone so tiny to make that much noise. Another squire at that point appeared from the crowd, acting as a peace keeper in the situation. The slight of Garland relaxed Treachery. He was a man with a level head most of the time and the knack of organization, both traits being held into the light in this instance. Glancing back and forth between those protecting him and the growing group of aggressive looking people, the Zith judged it safe to remove his hands. What he heard next almost made him wish he hadn't. Sayana was not happy with him here or that fact that the squire had sided with him. The sudden switch in her tone from angry to passive aggressive didn't ease the tension in the room in the slightest. What was that saying? Something about curiosity and murder. No doubt, his own curiosity was going to get Treachery killed one of these days. Whatever was going on he breathed a sigh of relief when wine and food became the main thought on the parties mind. Forcefully handed a cup, the hostess poured some wine, if a bit more reluctantly to him, before declaring a toast. A quick sniff of the contents of his cup, soon told the zith the most that he was ever going to bother learning about alcohol. The small speech of the hostess later and the mugs clinked against each other joyfully. Joining in the Zith muttered a prideful “To Great Rending.” to himself as the young man from before declared there to be ham available. This was the first time he had had these celebrations outside his old colony. Whilst the sights and smells were different and atmosphere had thankfully not changed in his switch over. Whispering a 'Thank you' into Garland's ear as he headed towards the food, the tension in the Zith's wings faded away giving them more a cape like appearance under his cloak. Swapping a plate for his mug, Treachery offered it to the cook humbly as he sort out the location of Nivel in the crowd. The Pycon had been rather enraged by the hostess' outburst, hopefully she wasn't going to do anything too rash.

[Phaylix Whitevine]

Phaylix had barely even finished his sentence when the Akalak man had pushed past. He turned, watching the event unfold from his current position. From what he could make out, Miss Sayana had been yelling at the winged, furry... thing that had dragged itself in. The blue man, along with some others like that April, stayed by Sayana's side. With a booming voice befit for someone of his stature, he requested the Zith leave, lest there be an issue.

Well, this party is just drama central.

Phaylix took the time to kill off his drink, whilst a Pycon, not the Pycon whom he'd helped a few days ago, defended the beast. He also moved toward the bed, to get his cloak. He didn't believe there was much to be yielded here if it was just gonna be drama. He was in arm's reach of his trusty cloak, when the hostess declared he could stay, and that they were going to celebrating the new year early.

Phaylix sighed audibly. It would be rude to just leave at New Year's, but he also wanted to get home to Recluse, to go to bed for the entrance of Spring 515 AV. So, trying to be courteous, he moved from the bed to the crowd. He stood there as Sayana got a nice, aromatic wine and began to tip just a little into everyone's cups. The Vantha also noticed there were 13 partygoers, but only 12 tankards. Two were gonna have to share.

Making sure he didn't get the short straw, Phaylix immediately toasted, saying a small, "Happy new year, everyone."

He took a mighty gulp of his good, strong wine, almost drinking the whole thing. He silently congratulated himself on a new year, set his cup down, and then moved for his cloak. He wasn't leaving just yet. He was sure there were more activities to be had. He just wanted to make sure that there wasn't any protest of him leaving when he decided to.

But who would? That April character had straight up snubbed him, and he didn't get the Akalak's name. Maybe he should wait for someone to come his way...

So he stood there, watching, waiting for someone, anyone to at least attempt to make his acquaintance.

[Holland Rolandus]

He was completely and totally bewildered; when he heard Claudia speak this time. "Hey, Holland I have wine!" Was this woman intoxicated; or was she just being silly? Perhaps it was a strange and odd combination of both; Although he didn't seem to care. He would simply nod his head in response to her words; Regardless of how ridiculous they would seem. Simply watching her motions as she asked for Ham. All of it, each and every single moment of this seemed incredibly comical. Laughable, and he'd never even seen her like this at all. Evidently she was quite tipsy; Soon enough he would go ahead and make his move. So that he could finally graze the womens lips with his own. He patiently awaited the moment that she would be given her ham.

He continues to watch; and wait for the perfect timing. Although in all honesty any timing was the perfect timing. He begin to feel as if he were waiting too long; Yet, he continued to wait. Regardless of how impatient it made him to even bother doing such an odd thing. He'd simply gone ahead and eaten the food that was placed before him. Rather swiftly; Just as she'd told him to do so. Evidently when Claudia offers someone something they'd best better take it and be glad about it. She'd even gone as far as to grab him by the neck oddly enough. How much more crazy could this night possibly get; Before he knew it two opposing sides were going at one another. He'd only ever heard rumor of what a Zith was. Now for the first time he's actually gotten to witness what it looked like first hand. Some odd and horrendously unsightly winged bat like creature. Good lord he'd thought he'd seen ugly before but this just took it up quite a large notch.

Talk about ugly, This guy was so ugly that he imagines that creature running away from it's own reflection. Although it seemed much more harmless then everyone else made it seem. Hopefully the problem would diffuse itself before it'd gone any further and become violent. Racial violence in Hollands eyes in incredibly stupid. Beyond stupid rather; it is just plain dumb and ignorant. Although he could very well understand why someone wouldn't want an uninvited guest to arrive so suddenly. Maybe they should just let the poor fella inside and allow him to have fun. Thought Holland; Although he knew that multiple other people in the vicinity wouldn't share the same opinion. Even the hostess herself freaked out at the sight of it. What was so dangerous about a creature that was this small?

Holland turns his cranial structure and gives Claudia a Smile. Whilst he waits for her to receive her food. Before he decides upon taking the opportunity to kiss her lips. Although it wouldn't take long he was feeling rather anxious and nervous. Therefore he would simply speak and attempt to keep the attention diverted away from himself. Due to the fact that if he didn't speak she would likely find it strange; Or discover that he was indeed nervous.

"Pfft, then you should share a bit of your wine with me; I'm not used to drinking ale.. So I'll only take a very, very small amount of it Claudia. "

[Alexander Ross]

Alexander Ross Thankfully, the previous situation seemed to be solved without the use of violence. Good thing, too, considering that Alex was not exactly in the mood to get involved in any sort of bloodshed. Relaxing his grip on his sword, he decided that Treachery seemed fairly harmless for now, and the boy was sure he wouldn't cause any sort of mischief. Although upon hearing Sayana's brief explanation of her past experience with Zith, he could understand why she had reacted with such hostility. Even though his own past was different, he couldn't help but feel a strange kinship with the hostess. After she had finished passing around the glasses and filling them with wine, pausing reluctantly at the Zith, Sayana proposed a toast, intent on celebrating the new year early. Alex noticed that, including himself, there were thirteen party members, yet only twelve wine glasses. He decided to be the only one without a glass... Not that he would have it any other way. Alcohol had been a nasty addiction that ran in his family, and it was extremely rare that anyone sharing his bloodline didn't become worthless alcoholics. Out of fear of becoming just like them, the boy did everything he could to avoid the mind-numbing substance. Once the toast had been made, the cook then announced that the ham was ready, and immediately began to cut slabs of the heavenly-scented meat for the guests. As inviting as the food was, Alex still had a hard time building up an appetite. Worried that he might seem rude, he instead approached the man, smiling a bit nervously. "If you would like, I would be happy to help you with that. You look like you've done quite a bit already." He said, hoping that his offer would be accepted. If he came to be seen as rude, he just might die of embarrassment. He glanced at the man who had put on his coat, seeming as if he would soon take his leave. Deciding to be a little more social than he was used to, he also adressed him. "I hope you don't plan on heading off just yet."