literature

NS Winter Event

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    Liang's impeccable taste in decorating had firmly placed him in charge of the halls appearance for the winter dance. Silver and blue drapes flowed from the walls and glittering streamers were hung carefully and precisely in just the right manner. The table was exquisite and the huge tree that Oliver had collected was burning with a thousand little stars, strewn amongst the jewel encrusted boughs. Liang stood back to admire the handiwork gazing upwards. Something was missing. He snapped his fingers. Of course! A chandelier! But there was no time to find one... He deflated slightly, fiddling with a flower tucked behind his left ear. It was unlikely anyone would notice, but the perfectionist General still found it to be of great annoyance. He even thought of taking down the one in his classroom to make amends and quickly began moving off down the hall, lost completely in his thoughts.
    Karl honestly didn't care how ridiculous he looked in the form fitting dress Liang had decided he was going to wear. Of course, it wasn't real so it didn't constrain his movements any, but that was neither here nor there. What he was doing at the moment was looking for Liang since the small man had agreed to be his date. And there he was, coming toward the dragon and not seeming to see him. Karl blinked and stopped, turning in place as the phoenix passed him. He laughed softly and snaked an arm around the other's waist.
    "And where are you going so close to the dance?"
    Mark was waiting in the dorm building's main common room, sitting on his normal chair. He had said he'd go with Mira, but he wasn't sure if she even still wanted to. He had also emphatically refused being put in a dress so he was wearing slacks, a nice button up shirt, tie (even though he hated them), and a jacket.
    Liang seemed startled for a second, blinking back to the present. "I need a chandelier..." He said a bit lamely. Strange. It didn't seem so important now...
    Karl laughed softly. "Is that all?" he asked before pressing a light kiss to Liang's cheek. "Why don't you tell me what you want it to look like and I'll create one for you tonight? Sound like a plan, gorgeous?"
    Anyu flowed down the stairs in a silken white dress. Of course it was white. With Anyu, everything had to be blanched like snow to not make his alabaster skin stand out like a sore thumb. He floated about airily, not at all bothered by being in a dress. Before traveling south, he'd had little cause for modesty at all. He gave Mark a wave when he saw the other boy although looked a bit confused by the lack of a dress. "Are you not going to the dance, Mark?" He asked, twirling about a bit.
    Purple nearly tripped over his "much too long for his size" dress when he caught glimpse of all the decoration, all so perfect and wintery. he giggled to himself, despite the prospect of being alone. While he didn't get invited, he found it perfectly fine to be alone- as long as he got to dress up. As he talked to himself in his head, he found himself wandering over to the huge tree and staring at the bright little stars.
    "Hello, Anyu. Yeah, I'm going. I'm just not wearing a dress," Mark greeted with a smile. "You look good though. Looking forward to it?" The blond couldn't say that he was, but that was mostly due to his nerves right now. He was positive something was going to go wrong.
    Liang grinned. "Sounds like a very good plan." He took Karl by the hand and hurrying the dragon down the hallway enthusiastically. He practically floated and it was surprising he didn't just grow wings and take of for how bright and full of energy he was right now.
    Karl grinned, admiring the general as they went. "You're certainly excited about this. Did you have fun decorating?"
    Mira was half hiding on the stairs, fidgeting with the too tight sweater vest with the stupid stripes that seemed to just make her bust look even wider. The bow tie tickled under her chin too. But mainly she could hear the boys' voices in the common room and had chosen to try and become invisible against the wall, heart thumping fast. She hadn't talked to him at all since that stupid night, and she had just barely been convinced by Karl to clean herself up and go to the dance. She hoped she saw Shiloh later so they could put their plan into place. The thought made her a little braver and she reluctantly left the shadows, looking at her feet and attempting to fix her bun.
    "Yes, actually," Anyu said. "I've never been to a dance before. I didn't get asked, but that's alright too."
    "Of course. Although I'd say I used my best skills on you," Liang replied, sparing a second to gaze at the dress Karl was wearing. "Did you find any shoes to go with that by the way?" He asked, slowing slightly as they neared the hall.
    Mark nodded. "I'm not sure how many people were asked, but it looks like everyone's going anyway." He shrugged lightly, glancing toward the girls' stairs again. Blinking when he saw Mira, he stood, shifting his weight nervously. Would she even acknowledge that he was here or keep avoiding him?
    Karl snorted. "I didn't bother. It's a long dress, no one is going to see. And I do not need to be any taller than I am." He settled one arm over Liang's shoulders. "And wouldn't it be embarrassing if I stumbled and broke my ankle because I was wearing heels?"
    Mira looked up at Mark briefly, biting her lip before inspecting Anyu. She gave him a small smile, putting more space between her and the necromancer by standing next on Anyu's opposite side.
    Liang laughed. "Yes, I suppose it would be. And now I'm just a little closer to your height," He said, reaching up and hooking a finger into the neck of Karl's glamour dress and pulling him down to give him a quick kiss, smirking slightly as he let go.
    Mark's tentative smile faded and it felt like a stone had dropped into his stomach. Well, that answered that question, didn't it?
    Anyu looked between the two, not too sure what was going on. "Shall we go? Or are we still waiting for someone?" He asked, trying to disperse some of the tension.
    Another laugh and large hands settled on either side of a trim waist. "Well, I'm not going to complain about that." He leaned down for another kiss, either forgetting about where they were or not caring.
    Kirke was walking down the hall in the slightly too long borrowed suit when she saw Liang and Karl over her clipboard. "Okay you two, stop it or I'll have to enforce the PDA rule with you both." She smacked Liang lightly with her clipboard. She was attempting to do paperwork and finish with the snacks for the dance.
    Shiloh dropped from the ceiling in his short, whispy black dress and put grinned at Anyu "It looks like we're yin and yang." he joked lightly as he examined Mark with scrutiny "Ah, no fair Mark." Shiloh pouted "I wanted to see you in a dress." There, the ice was broken a bit, hopefully Mira could slip in now.
    Mira's nervousness was broken when she saw Shiloh and she relaxed slightly, still trying not to look at Mark. She couldn't help herself though, and went a light blue before she focused on the other boys again, motioning that they could go. "Solari is running late," she signed to Shiloh, who knew the most sign language.
    Oliver did his best to be stealthy and go unseen, but stealth was not the big green man's forte' and so it was rather easy to find the hulk of a man lumbering around behind the scenes of the dance in the barmaid's outfit he'd picked to wear. Fittingly, Oli took up a mundane station making sure everyone got their fill of the different food and drinks available.
    "Hey..." Liang frowned slightly, giving his sister a disapproving look. "Alright, we were just going to go fix a chandalier anyway."
    SomnUyko bit his lip, quietly waiting for the voices he heard ahead to get dimmer. WHY was he here again? Why did he even listen to his brother? "Nur für ihn gehen! Es wird Spaß machen und Sie könnten Freunde machen! (Und schließlich aufhören, mich Ihnen ärgerlich ...)" (Just go for it! It'll be fun and you could make friends!(and finally stop calling me you annoying...)) Yeah this was a bad idea. but why was he still heading to the big room? Maybe he really did want go...
    Mark shrugged. "I wouldn't be comfortable and it would probably get me sick anyway." He glanced at Mira again, wanting to at least give her a smile in greeting.
    Kirke shrugged, rolling her sleeves back. "I should've hemmed this," she grumbled to herself. "Hey, have either of you seen Nomine or Oli-ver?" she asked more hopefully, hair flicking up a bit.
    Shiloh sighed and shook his head "No dances for you then buddy, for not playing by the rules." Shiloh said in a flirtatiously then nodded to Mira "Well since my date is late, would you mind keeping me company?" he put an arm around the spirit-ish girl.
    "Banner's in the ballroom already. No idea about about your sprog." Karl shrugged, settling a hand on Liang's back to lead him down the hall. "Oh, and Kirke? Try to have some fun tonight. Dance with Oli. Heck, kiss him. I've heard there's mistletoe."
    Anyu was still wholly uncomfortable but Shiloh's presence seemed to ease everything. Well, besides the usual creeping he got whenever the incubus was near. He picked a little at a stray thread on his dress. At least Shiloh could make light of a situation. Everyone else seemed tense and certainly not in the mood for partying.
    Kirke flushed a bit. "Yeah well, don't go and break my brother. I need him later." She turned and hurried away, hair twisting up in embarrassment.
    Mira smiled more brightly, even daring to give Mark a small one as she tucked herself against the incubus, closing her eyes briefly. "I made a new friend. Not sure where he is. Maybe we run into him soon."
    Mark blushed faintly at the flirting then blinked at the exchange Shiloh had with Mira. He let out a soft breath and looked away, missing the smile Mira gave him as his shoulders slumped a little. He just wanted to get the night over with.
    Liang broke into laughter again once Kirke was out of earshot. "You mean we actually have mistletoe left over? I thought you used it all." He looked off in the direction that Kirke had gone. He hoped she wasn't too embarrassed. Kirke had a habit of taking it out on Liang after.
    Oliver rested Nomine on a chair beside him as he helped monitor and serve the students refreshment. Nomine stared around in wonder, quickly learning all there was to in the situation
    Shiloh put his arms around Mira protectively "Really? Whats he like?" he asked.
    Kirke found Oliver and sidled behind the table next to him and Nomine. "Nice dress," she said, unable to hide her amusement for a moment. "Did Liang help you pick it out or RenRen?"
    Karl laughed and looked at Liang. "Some of the students got a hold of their own and have been sneaking them around the school." He shrugged lightly. "So, what were you thinking for the chandelier?" he asked as the passed through the doors.
    Mira hesitated, thinking. "A bit noisy and bouncy. But nice I think." She squirmed and looked back at Anyu and Mark briefly, biting her lip a bit and chewing it worriedly.
    Oliver looked over his shoulder at Kirke and blushed a darker green "Neither. I saw a billboard in town of a beer and decided that dress looked nice."
    Shiloh frowned and leaned forward, whispering in her ear "This isn't going to work if you two keep avoiding each other... try and act cheery." he said and looked to Anyu "I'll make everyone more flirty if you make everyone more happy... think we can turn this party into a hit?"
    "Well, I was just going to go with something simple, like the one in my room," Liang replied. Of course to anyone else, the chandelier in Liang's class was anything but simple. "Well, something with icicles and snowdrops." He thought about it for a moment. "Think we can make fake snow in here?"
    Mark frowned softly, but didn't comment. He had had enough things messing around with his head as it was. He really hoped that the pair of them didn't. Especially after what had happened the last time their powers reacted with one another. His hand drifted up to rub his chest lightly and a bit absently.
    Kirke smiled a bit. "It does look nice, though if you had let me at it, it would've been a bit longer for decency." She set down the clipboard and picked up the little golem, petting Nomine's head, sharp eyes catching sight of Shiloh and Mira as they preceded their group into the hall.
    Mira sighed and nodded, straightening a bit and tugging on her vest. She caught sight of Purple and waved hard, trying to get his attention.
    Karl laughed. "Of course I can." When he knew where Liang wanted the chandelier, he created it, giving it several tiers and making it look like it was made of ice. He took a moment to gather some energy then breathed out, twisting his magic just so and dropping the temperature just a few degrees as a light snowfall began. He glanced around, admiring his handiwork. "How's that?"
    Anyu looked a little uncomfortable at the proposition. "I don't know if that's a good idea," He replied. Still, maybe it was better than the mood everyone was in currently.
    "I guess not." Shiloh shrugged a bit then looked to Mark. "How are you feeling?" he asked letting go of Mira some. Even if Mark was the target for their plan, it didn't stop him from caring at all.
    Nomine reached out for the tree eagerly wanting to play with it. Oliver looked at her "Is there something wrong with it?" he asked.
    Liang's eyes brightened at the sight. "Perfect. Exactly what I was thinking. You have a good eye for beautiful things, don't you?" He said arrogantly, quills lifted high.
    Purple wandered around , mostly staring at the ceiling, trying to avoid walking under a clump of mistletoe. Kissing someone with HIS mouth was not a good idea. Besides, he didn't really know that many people here and that would be really awkward. REALLY awkward. In fact he didn't see a single recognizable- oh. It's that girl from the kitchen! While he was wearing his mask as per usual, he wave back with as much energy as he could. Maybe he should try and meet more people! He giggled at the idea, always loving new people. While he had just recently learned some people don't like hugs, he wondered if Mira would mind. He liked hugs. he giggled again as he skipped over to where she was.
    Mark shrugged slightly. " 'm okay. Doesn't hurt as often anymore. I think it's healing." Of course, the spiritual wound probably would have healed by now if it wasn't for his experimenting.
    Karl grinned, leaning down to whisper into Liang's ear. "Do you really have to ask?" he murmured, cool breath brushing over the other's ear.
    Mira broke free of Shiloh's grip since he was talking, reaching out to take Purple's hand. She doubted he knew signing, but she managed to wave a little once they were close, motioning to his dress and giving him a thumbs up.
    Kirke smiled and let Nomine down to explore. "It's fine. I just thought you were more modest."
    Shiloh nodded slightly "I'm glad you're feeling better man. Can't have you keeling over mid tango or something." he said and put an arm across Mark's shoulders.
    Nomine ran, well trotted quickly, across the dance floor and hid in the tree.
    "My legs are covered... my chest is a little exposed, but Its just a little worse than my tanktops." Oliver shrugged some.
    Mark shrugged again. "I doubt I'm going to be doing much dancing. I don't exactly have the coordination or stamina for it."
    "No, not really," Liang replied a little smugly, readjusting the flower Karl had given him. He took a moment to sweep his keen gaze over the hall and let out a high burst of laughter when he saw Oliver. "I really could have chose something more flattering if he'd let me," Liang commented, cocking a hip as he observed the half-orc from a distance.
    "Well I think you look handsome." Kirke had half an eye on the tree as she stood on tiptoe to hug the large man briefly. It helped that there was mistletoe nearby, so she could use it as an excuse if anything more forward happened.
    SomnUyko stepped quietly in to the main room, nervous as ever as he slipped in to his comforting shadows, content just to watch everyone with a feeling of victory simply for being around people.
    Purple giggled, quickly hugging her for a brief moment hoping she didn't mind."Thank you! I like to dress up! But I like what you're wearing!"
    Following the phoenix's gaze, the dragon groaned softly. "I could have picked something better," he said, and Karl was rather known already for not really caring what he wore. "Hopefully he'll take the opportunity though. Or she will," he added, nodding to the mistletoe near the other couple.
    She pointed to Shiloh, Mark, and Anyu, the group she had walked in with, grabbing Shiloh's arm so he could translate for her. "Shiloh, this is Purple. He used to go here and just returned."
    Shiloh nodded slightly "Maybe a slow dance with some choice people?" he asked. hoping this night would end up on a positive note. He turned when Mira got his attention "Nice to meet you." he shook his hand.
    Oliver smiled "Thank you Kir" he said as he sat down for a moment.
    Nomine started to climb the tree as best she could.
    Mark smiled lightly. "Hello," he said with a small wave before looking at Shiloh again. "I'd step on people's feet."
    Kirke saw what their "child" was doing and let go of Oliver quickly. "Nomine, we don't climb that!" She snatched the little mechanical golem off before she got out of reach.
    Purple smiled brightly(not that it could be seen under the mask) waving at the group of people. Unsure of what to say." Nice to meet you all as well, hope I'm not really interrupting any of your plans!" he giggled, inwardly cursing(then chiding himself for cursing in his head) at his habit of giggled after nearly everything appropriate or not.
    SomnUyko busied himself taking pictures of all that ensued, laughing quietly to himself at the "parenting" as he snapped a photo.
    Shiloh shook his head "I'll make them steel toes boots with my shadows." he joked and patted Mark's back.
    Nomine clung to Krike and then wiggled its arm at the next thing that interested her.
    "Maybe they just need a little push..." Liang said with a coy smile, lifting one hand and pointing a finger at the mistletoe. It snapped off of the string that held it and began floating across the room towards Kirke.
    Mark mustered a somewhat more genuine smile. "Thanks."
    Karl bit his lip to hold in a laugh and turned away so that if Kirke or Oliver looked over they wouldn't see his amusement.
    Kirke smiled and hummed a little, carrying Nomine back and ignoring the trailing mistletoe, focused on the golem. She started approaching Liang, remembering that uncle and niece had yet to be introduced.
    Mira smiled and patted Purple's hand lightly, looking out at the dance floor a little longingly. She had really been excited about this, up until a week ago.
    "There's the Mark I know." Shiloh grinned and ruffled his hair then jumped up "Mira? Shall we?"
    Nomine looked all around and wagged her arms at the man in pretty colors.
    Purple giggled sliding way out of the way. He didn't want to interrupt anything, and everyone seemed busy, he sat himself in a chair and set about braiding his hair, he was sick of it in a tight bun.
    Liang quickly redirected the Mistletoe. A Christmas kiss with his sister was not how he wanted the evening to go at all. It began floating aimlessly over the heads of some of the students.
    Mira nodded at Shiloh, taking his hand. "I am nervous," she admitted, glancing at Mark again. He appeared to be taking great interest in his feet when he wasn't being spoken to.
    Anyu had taken to the dance floor and was floating about it on his own quite happily. He seemed to not care that he was dancing by himself, quite contented with the notion in fact.
    Karl snickered softly, leaning down to offer his hand to Nomine. "Hello princess."
    Kirke shifted her grip a bit on the girl. "This is Nomine. Nomine, this is Uncle Liang - " she pointed at her brother who was doing a bang up job at pretending she wasn't standing in front of him now " - and Karl, our friend."
    Mark was indeed looking mostly at the floor, feeling more and more out of place, but he did look up every so often from where he was stood near a wall. He sighed, just wanting to leave.
    "You should try and him to dance." Shiloh whispered to her. "Just bite the bullet." Nomine wiggled her hand, patting happily at the extended hand of the dragon.
    Mira sighed, leaning close to Shiloh, hiding her face in his shoulder. But he was right. Mark was here because of her after all. She never told him that she didn't want to go to the dance with him after all. She waited a few minutes for the current dance to end, letting Shiloh lead her back.
    Liang gave an awkward grin. He never had been good with young children. He was only now getting used to teenagers. Still, he softened slightly as he watched Karl and Nomine interact. At least the dragon made up for the Phoenix's deficits.
    Karl laughed and tickled the golem's stomach, creating a small butterfly that settled on her knee.
    Shiloh stepped away as the song ended and he lead Mira back to their little group "There, see, not so hard."
    Nomine gazed, the blue fiery core lighting up bright with amazement as she tried to hold it.
    Mark glanced up as they returned then looked away again. He was starting to feel a little stifled by every one so he quietly excused himself to get a glass of punch.
    Mira nodded and started for Mark, sighing when he walked away. She went to sit next to Purple instead.
    Kirke laughed, watching Nomine a moment before looking up at Liang. "Isn't she a cutie?" she asked, blinded by adoration for the girl.
    Shiloh frowned and looked to Mira. "Get ready to cut in." he said and went after Mark. He touched his shoulder "Care to dance?
    Mira just stared at him, wondering how the heck she was supposed to cut in on anything and settling on glowering at the incubus a little bit.
    Purple smiled quickly at Mira, returning to focusing on his hair. Usually he wasn't this shy.
    "She's... certainly something. I mean... She's pretty for a Golem," Liang tried. 'Wow', he thought to himself. 'There is something I actually suck at...'
    Mark blinked and blushed lightly. "Uh... What?"
    Kirke laughed. "She's just like an actual child. She's learning a lot." She held her up to Karl. "Want to hold her a bit. I need to grab my clipboard and she can't go climbing the tree."
    "Come on, dance with me." he said and held out his hand, a small charming smile. +
    Nomine looked at Liang and reached up with both stubby little arms, asking for him.
    Blue eyes glanced up at the General and their owner grinned, plucking Nomine from her mom's arms and turning to deposit her in Liang's instead. "There," the dragon said, satisfied.
    Liang took the Golem a little stiffly. "Sure..." He said weakly. "Why not."
    Mark blushed a little redder then shyly nodded, hesitantly taking Shiloh's hand and following him onto the dance floor.
    Kirke smiled. "I'll be right back." She hurried back to Oliver, taking advantage of her happy mood and him sitting to sneak a kiss onto his cheek.
    Mira slumped in her seat as she watched Shiloh and Mark for a minute. Abruptly, she stood and crossed the room to tap on Anyu's shoulder, wanting a distraction.
    Shiloh lead Mark out onto the dance floor "Its easy... let me lead." he said smiling as he helped Mark sway to the music. He looked around hoping Mira would cut in, when she walked away he felt a pang of annoyance but didn't let it show as he danced.
    Oliver smiled at Kirke "Good to see you too."
    Nomine happily reached up to play with the colorful quills.
    "I want to see how long Liang lasts with a little kid before he freaks out," she whispered, rolling her sleeves up again with a mischievous smile. Who said Liang was the only one with a prankster's streak?
    Karl rolled his eyes lightly and adjusted how Liang was holding her. "She's not a bomb. Relax a bit."
    Mark didn't even notice what anyone else was doing, preoccupied as he was with not stepping on Shiloh's feet and how close one of his crushes was. He smiled at Shiloh, still shy.
    Anyu stopped dancing and turned to smile at Mira. "Hey. Enjoying the dance?" He asked, although the despondent vibes he got off her said otherwise. He peered towards Mark and Shiloh then back to Mira. "Would you like to dance with me instead?" The small Atka asked kindly.
    She nodded quickly, tugging her vest down again self-consciously, following his look briefly. She took his hands, automatically taking the lead since she was rather tall compared to him. She made sure to give him a small smile of gratitude as well.
    Shiloh started to dance Mark towards Mira and Anyu. He hoped, begged all that was good that Anyu would pick up on what he was trying to do and get him to switch partners somehow. He gave Mark a careful spin and pulled him back to him.
    Oliver laughed lightly "Luckily Nomine is tougher than any other kid."
    Nomine reached and stretched trying to get Liang's quills, only switching once now and then to reach for Karl's nose.
    Liang quickly flicked his plumes over his shoulder and away from Nomine's hands. There was no way those were being yanked out. "Relax... Okay. Sorry." He flushed a little, feeling very uncomfortable. He thought about how his mother had used to hold him, but that had been a very long time ago. Still, he tried, forcing his muscles to loosen slightly.
    Anyu tried to make light of the situation, sending out waves of calming energy. He spotted Shiloh, catching his eye. Oh. So that was his plan... Anyu wasn't leading but he still tried his best to guide Mira closer to the incubus and necromancer.
    Mira didn't notice Anyu's nudging her closer to their friends, smiling more naturally now, partially due to Anyu's energy, partially to being with a friend who wasn't wrapped up in her small drama. She was soon within easy swapping distance.
    "Think about how I hold you," Karl said, slipping behind Liang and reaching his arms around to help Liang hold Nomine and in the hopes that his presence would help Liang relax.
    Kirke laughed again, nodding a bit. "It is...but look at how cute those three are. Too bad Liang hates kids too much to adopt." She relaxed against Oliver, closing her eyes.
    Mark didn't notice either, caught up in how happy he was feeling. It was completely new for him to feel this relaxed and content. The only way this could be better was if Mira wasn't mad at him.
    Oliver forgot himself a bit and put his arms around Kirke watching curiously.
    Nomine made a soft metallic cooing sound and snuggled up to Lina and reached holding his neck.
    Shiloh got them close then let out just enough of his power to daze them. For an instant he was beautiful and captivating. He moved gracefully and spun dipped Mark between Anyu and Mira. He took Mira's hand with his free one spun her away from Anyu and stood letting Mark come up as Mira's new partner as Shiloh himself swayed into Anyu's arms. "Dance me away." he said quickly.
    Liang closed his eyes for a second, focusing on that one thing instead of every single thing that was occurring around them. He startled just slightly as Nomine clung to his bare neck but relaxed again in Karl's grip. Like Jiao. Like Karl. Like... Yes. He smiled. Like his gentleman. Everyone who'd ever loved him. He couldn't do this forever, but he'd be alright for just a few minutes like this.
    Mira blinked, completely confused about how she had ended up with Mark but there nonetheless. She stared up at the necromancer, blushing a dark blue and secretly hoping she hadn't missed a stray twig in her hair.
    Karl smiled and hugged him lightly. "See, not so bad," he whispered.
    Kirke leaned against Oliver more, dropping asleep fairly quickly. She had masterfully hidden the slight bags under her eyes by fluffing her feathers up, but she was exhausted, as usual.
    Anyu smiled and stifled a laugh, trying to lead the tall incubus away from Mark and Mira before they could realise what had happened.
    Mark blinked a few times as well, wondering what had just happened. He looked aside shyly. "H-hi."
    She looked down at their feet, realizing they weren't moving. After a moment's hesitation, she placed her hands on his shoulders, staring a hole through his tie and blushing harder than ever.
    Shiloh let out a long breath of relief "Sorry, did my magic bother you at all?" he asked Anyu as they managed to dance away from the two.
    Oliver gently sat down off to one side and kept her in his arms, stroking her feathers softly.
    Nomine's light dimmed as she started to nap in Liang's arms.
    Anyu shook his head. "I think I'm starting to get used to it. My magic is quite opposed... but I suppose when you use yours for good intentions they get along just fine." He glanced over at Mark and Mira and gave a satisfied smile. That was all Anyu ever wanted. To make things better.
    Mark gently set his hands on Mira's hips and started to lead her in a slow, revolving dance. "I'm happy to dance with you," he said softly.
    Mira nodded slightly, tracing a mindless pattern on his shoulder for a moment. She peeked up at him, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, a million things competing in her head to be said. Instead she looked down again, deflating.
    Shiloh smiled some "I'm glad... I hope those two can fix things without plan b..." he mumbled.
    SomnUyko flipped through his camera, pouting at his film being full. If anyone wanted pictures of the dance, he certainly had quite a few. A brief thought flicker through his head of who he would have to talk to about that and just decided to keep his mouth shut about the entire thing.
    Mark tilted his head. "Mira? Are... are you still upset with me?"
    "No, I suppose not," Liang replied wistfully. With the golem falling asleep he allowed his attention to wander again, eyes roving over the students. Kirke was catching up on sleep again. He looked down at the Golem. Well at least he could do right by his sister, even if it didn't please him much.
    She looked up at him with a frown, lifting one hand free to sign. "I am not the one who said they like two different people." Her signs were rather snappish and quick, hard to read.
    Anyu glanced over at them. "I'm sure they will. In time. I don't think you should push them too fast, even if you mean well," The Atka replied, speaking his mind.
    Shiloh looked down, his normally undeterable mask of happiness faltering "But its my fault that they're having problems."
    Mark sighed softly. "Mira. I told you that I can't help it. I'm sorry."
    She stopped moving, not leaving, not signing, just staring at the knot of his tie blankly even as her eyes grew shiny with tears.
    Anyu gave a soft frown. It was a rare expression for the usually carefree creature. "I don't really know what to suggest then." He was also a naive little thing too and though he wanted to help Shiloh to help Mark and Mira, he had no ideas.
    "Oh, Mira, don't cry." He felt like such an arse right now. Sighing softly, Mark pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry that this hurts you so much." It hurt him too, but he was pretty sure she didn't want to hear that.
    "I promised to help Mira... so I'm doing anything I can to help her." he nodded with finality. "I hope this all works.."
    Karl smiled at how Nomine had started napping, but he was willing to bet that Liang was even more uncomfortable now. "Want me to take her?"
    She pushed at him, pushing him away. "Do not kiss me." Even without a voice it was easy to tell how upset she was, glaring up at him. "Do not touch me like that when you do not care enough for either Shiloh or I to make a choice on who you would rather share that sort of affection with." She turned, hiding her face by walking towards Shiloh and Anyu so that only they could see her break.
    Mark just stood there, at a loss on what to do. "Why can't I love both of you?" he whispered to himself.
    Shiloh moved away from Anyu "Something's wrong..." he faced the oncoming Mira.
    Liang nodded with an obvious sigh of relief and handed the Golem to Karl. He gave a slightly strained laugh, feeling like he'd embarrassed himself a bit tonight. "Thank you. I'll... I'll be back in a bit. Just need to get a drink." Liang was bitterly disappointed to find that the punch hadn't been spiked. Wasn't that meant to b a tradition at school dances? He took a few swigs, smoothing back his anxious quills.
    Anyu didn't know what to do, but stood fast, ready to help where he could. He looked at Mark and then to a teary eyed Mira, wondering what the boy had done to make her cry.
    After finishing his braids, Purple wanted over to the food and away from people. He leaned back examining the crowd of people, cup of drink in hand as his mask was cautiously pulled down slightly so he could drink. Everyone seemed so stressed out. or something. Hmm. Maybe it's the music. He wondered if there was a Dj here.
    Mira jerked Shiloh along with her, ignoring the small Atka for the moment, watching Mark to make sure he was watching her. Making sure they were under one of the sprigs of mistletoe floating about (by itself? What on earth?), she pulled the incubus to her, kissing him hard, ignoring the tears freely flowing down her cheeks.
    Shiloh wasn't ready, he didn't have time to brace himself or get his powers under check. A wave of lust exploded off of him and across the dance flood as he touched her cheek on reflex and held her closer.
    Mark's eyes widened in surprise as he watched that. She was upset that he cared for both of them but then she'd do something like that? He swallowed harshly as tears came to his eyes. Was this how she felt, that weight crushing his chest and making it hard to breathe, the sick feeling in his stomach? He couldn't be here right now, dropping his head and turning to rush out, leaving the building entirely and ripping the tie from his neck as he ran.
    The wave of lust managed to startle the headmaster from her sleep. Resisting the urge to turn around and have her way with Oliver in front of everyone, including Liang, she shook her head clear and stood, grabbing Shiloh's arm and tugging him out of Mira's grasp. "Where is your pendant?" she growled, rubbing her forehead from the effort it took to resist the incubus's magic, dragging him to the opposite side of the school to the kitchen and grabbing the sugar bin. "Eat."
    "M-My room." he managed to stammer as he grabbed a handful of sugar and started to eat it, his powers ebbing away slowly. He finally sat back and grabbed the sides of his head in frustration "I wasn't ready! What did I do? I lost it for a moment. Should I go to my room?"
    Karl blinked hard, swaying a little as he shook his head. What the hell had just happened? He glanced around, curling Nomine closer to his chest protectively. Well, whatever it was didn't look to have hurt anyone.
    Kirke sighed and rubbed Shiloh's back a bit. "I'm going to get you a bunch of real clothes and then you have to wear that pendant, do you understand. You're still too volatile to go without it, like Solari."
    Mira was blinking, dazed, in the middle of the dance floor, both Shiloh and Mark gone now. She went to hide next to Purple, resting her head against his shoulder without asking.
    Liang felt the effects badly. Even as he saw what was coming and raised his barriers. "guī sūnzi!" He swore, grabbing hold on the punch table until his long nails left marks in the wood. He quickly grabbed a few sugary snacks, knowing that if it worked for an incubus it could likely dull the effects on himself too. It probably looked rather inelegant but still more pretty than the alternative.
    Anyu was confused but unaffected. He gazed around at a few of the others, wondering what had happened. Tonight was just becoming a disaster. He went to the sidelines, curling up on one of the chairs there.
    "I'm sorry Kirke... I'm really sorry... I didn't expect her to kiss me so quickly." he said and headed away from the kitchen, towards his room. He just wanted to hide.
    Kirke sighed. Another event ruined. She left, trailing Shiloh and forcing him to take the sugar, deciding to go nurse her sudden headache in her office instead.
    Purple couldn't help but giggle, despite feeling VERY uncomfortable for reasons he had no clue why."Are you okay?" he asked after pulling his mask back over half of his face, patting her head.
    She shook her head slightly, feeling vaguely miserable. She hated Mark and hated herself even more at the moment.
    Oliver walked up and took Nomine off of Karl "Can you help break up the kids, I'm gonna get Nomi to my room away from all this."
    "Sure," the dragon agreed with a nod before striding forward, calling out to a couple that were getting enthusiastic. "Oi! Knock it off or you can have detention with me!"
    SomnUyko stared at his feet, again, regretting coming.
    Purple frowned, biting his lip, with trying to resist the urge to giggle. He didn't want to risk giggling and just continued patting her head, hoping to make her feel better in some small way.
    The girl felt a bit better, miming her thanks as she continued to use him as a pillow.
    It was during this confusion that Patrick got Liang's attention.
    Karl started to shoo the students off to bed, threatening detentions where he had to. Once they were all on their ways, he shook his head. He stopped in front of Purple and Mira, sighing softly. "Alright you," he said to Purple. "I'll walk you back." He carefully scooped Mira into his arms. "Come on then."
    Purple blinked and giggled "You don't need too, I'm alright. If you have to you have to, but you don't need too, plus you have her, actually you should just walk her back. Well I guess it wouldn't be walking since she is sleeping. so it'd be carrying? Or still walking because you're walking with her in your arms? or- I mean Thank you for the offer, but I'm fine, thank you" he giggled starting off to his dorm, tossing his cup away.
    Karl blinked, tilting his head a little before he shook it. He ended up following Purple anyway since the boys' and girls' dorms were in the same building. He dropped Mira off in her room and checked to make sure all of the other students were in their rooms before heading back outside with a frown, wondering where the necromancer had gone off to.
    He received an answer to that soon enough, but that's something that will be covered later.
Winter dance event for :iconaellyns-crossing:.

~EllaKey owns Kirke and Mira.
~Tenshifaia owns Oliver, Nomine, and Shiloh.
~EmbodiedSpirit owns Liang and Anyu.
~Kupcake777 owns Purple and SomnUyko.
~PsychoWing owns Karl and Mark.
© 2013 - 2024 PsychoWing
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