1241/Day Of Promised Victory

Day Of Promised Victory
Date of Scene:	31 December 2014
Location:	Galianda
Synopsis:	oh my god giant party
Cast of Characters:	Deelel, 151, 162, 513, Bahamut, Ayako Hasekawa, 626, 627, 628, 633, 642, 643, 646, 647, 652, 655, 666, 667, 671

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Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     CHOCOBO, THE LUNAR METROPOLIS

     Set upon the moon of Galianda is Chocobo, the Lunar Metropolis. The city grew around the famous Alexander Academy's needs. Even to this day, the city sprawls around the massive campus, its glass-and-steel buildings rising from the surface of the moon like a ring of iron around the school. The lights of the city, visible from the Great Span or any of the plates, shine brilliantly, a lantern in the darkness.

     Today, it is the Day of Victory. The vast Plates of Galianda stand still, their endless and constant paths along the clockwork Core motionless. Today is a day of festival and celebration across all Galianda, as the people of the Plates cheer and dance and feast an play music in honor of the War of Light and Shadow that ended nearly eight thousand years ago. The traditional March of Victory rings out across the whole world - literally and figuratively, as marching bands and music players sing out all over the world. The musics mingle together in a grandiose harmony, a pattern born of tradition, folklore, and togetherness - all the things Victory Day celebrates.

     Today is a very special Victory Day, too. Today, the streets of Chocobo are strung up with festival-banners and hanging paper-lanterns, with gimmicky colored-lights and flashing neon signs. The city welcomes its Extraversal visitors - for the first time, people from beyond Galianda are taking part in the traditional celebrations. There are street performances, plays, and festival booths lining every street of Chocobo; some are demonstrations of skill and excellence from students, some are reenactments of the Great War Of Light And Shadow (carefully omitting the name of the Enemy), some are reenactments of the Fall of Arlaus tav Sternn, some are food booths, some are...it's a dizzying display, made undoubtedly more dizzying thanks to the sheer number of people crowding through the streets.

     The Prince of Ramuh, Landon al Cid, stands near the entrance to the grand affair, off the exit of the Great Span. He wears his simple black jacket and slacks, the uniform of Alexander Academy, proudly. Along with a host of bodyguards blending into the crowd, he looks out across Galianda and smiles.

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
Even among holidays and celebration, there are people working. Or perhaps they're working so that other people can have an enjoyable holiday. Or perhaps they're not good with holidays and like sticking to what they do enjoy. All of these apply to Dominic Masoch. He is currently skulking his way through the crowd rather than doing anything a famous noble who needs to make appearances SHOULD be doing.

A gloved hand comes down hard on the shoulder of a seemingly-random looking Monk in his very late teens. That hand is followed by a voice, "You are a hard student to find, Joseph Morwen." Dominic grins widely, "The Bounty Board put out quite the point tally on you. It'll put me back into the top spots."

The Monk gulps heavily as several Knight-students flank him and start leading him off. As they do so, Dominic waves after them, "I already arranged it with the office! Truancy, lack of attendance, we'll split the points 60-10-10-10-10!"

"Awww, maaan. It's victory day, cut me a break."

Dominic calls after the monk, "You know the rules! Attend your lecture or I'm going to getcha!"

To the random crowd that is watching all this happen, Dominic waves his hands a bit, "Carry on, carry on! Happy Victory Day, all!"

Victory Day was a great day to pick up student targets that got a bit too relaxed because of the holiday.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    A certain Water Spirit dressed like a witch walks over to the entrance of Chocobo that Landon is standing by. Even though she saw the preparation work for The Day as she walked to the academy to do her nurse volunteer work, she still finds the transformation of the city to be amazing. She smiles cheerfully and then curtsies gracefully to the prince at the entrance. "Good evening Landon!" Even from the entrance, the city screams celebration mode. "Looks like quite the celebration." She giggles brightly. Her broom? Nowhere to be seen at the moment.

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    'Hey we should have a party and invite the extraversals' turned into something much, much larger than Kyra had expected. She quickly discovered the preparations for this exceeded her scope, though she did help out where she could. She even made some food which some wise soul had gone ahead and clearly labeled. If the smell wasn't enough to turn off people from sampling such delicacies like the "Courage Chili," well, they had been warned.

    Though still garbed in her usual favorite hoodie, she is much more clearly wearing the shirt and skirt of the Alexander Academy school uniform. The hoodie is unzipped so the crest on the shirt's left breast is visible.

    Kyra is far from alone either. Poor Noiela has been dragged along with her through the streets, implored to follow the fiesty redhead all the way back to the gates of Alexander Academy. Here she'd be meeting up with Deelel, whom she invited to come to the party. It is perhaps to Nioela's dismay that ~Prince Landon~ is by those gates, welcoming everyone in.

    It's probably even more to her dismay that Kyra waves out to him "Hey Prince!"

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    Ainsley steps off the exit to the Great Span, straightening out her robes. She reaches up to adjust a pair of slightly polarized glasses balanced impossibly on her snout, and looks at Landon with a great big smile on her face. Her robes seem to be decorated in quite a blatant 'I AM A NEW TEACHER AT THE ACADEMY' way, with the school symbol on the back, and a nametag over the right breast pocket.

    Even though she hasn't started her classes yet. She's gotta get her business in order first, darn it!

    She happens to be nearby when Kyra spots Landon, and this leads to her waving at the student with a vigorous happiness. Considering the few times they've seen each other and the often subdued emotion of the lizard woman, this probably looks REALLY WEIRD. Who knew that a lizard person could smile that big!?

    "Hi, Kyra!"

Deelel has posed:
Deelel own people never really had any sort of newyears party really I mean they had a few holidays but not as many as an organic species might have. Either way so here she was waiting for Kyra and Noiela. She does also spot landon a she's moving to catch up with them.

"Hey Kyra this is quite the party."

Deelel does stand out from the portions of her clothing that glow faintly and the lines on her arm which appear to be tattoos based on computer circuits.

"Kyra! Landon, Ainsley!"

Noiela is given a look over as she's not had a chance to meet them yet in person.

Noiela (647) has posed:
Silence. Over the blare of music, runs the deep blanket silence triggered by the cowled 'extraversal' being forced to attend in her outfit composed of gloomy gold, navy, purple and most vibrant beige with hints of brown. A sepia filtered snapshot would barely alter the full colour image she presents today.

Shoulders hitching, she utters a quiet word of introduction.
"Hello....Landon, um...fellow outsiders." She ventures, gaze strictly averted and fingers playing anxiously at the book latched on to her belt, barely visible beneath the coat. "Quite...quite the turnout. An auspicious sign."

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    KIRIN seems to have a decent presence at the festival, people might notice. Though the military-armored personnel is stationed at various key points thorough the festivities, keeping an eye on people, their weapons are at least lowered, more hanging to their sides than in their hands, to not give off too strong a negative response. They're just here to make sure nothing goes wrong-- with the offworlders and, well, in case natives or cultists might have ideas to ruin the fun for everyone.

    But that's all you'll get out of KIRIN today unless something really goes go wrong. It does however explain Audrey's presence, in her overcoat uniform and all, making rounds here and there between the major hotspots. Her ability to enjoy festivities apparently comes second to her ability to show she's a dedicated worker bee.

    Her patrol route takes her to Dominic, by pure chance, and she actually stops to give a wave and a sly grin. "It's good to see slacking won't be tolerated even on this day. Wish that more teachers shared your mindset, Masoch."

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
     Victory Day is one of theses days that Soan Sagittarius can relax more than the rest of the year. It is one of the most certifiable nights that Chaos will sit the heck down. Cultists, however, are another story. Still... they also tend to be pacified during theses times. In theory, it is the one day Soan can fully relax.

     Yet, he can't. He'll try, but he can't really. Besides, there's another source of stress -- making sure that the Extraversal visit don't go horrifically, horrifically, terribly wrong.

     "Heeeeeeeeey!" Soan comes up behind the small squad of Kyra, Ainsley and Noiela. His uniform is sharper than it is usally, he's wearing a nice, subtle cologne and he is clean shaven -- no awkward teenager stubbles this time around. "How y'all? You're all looking positively radiant tonight!" Including Ainsley, it seems. Compliment done, he gives Landon a firm nod as well on the way in. "Welcome to Victory Day!"

Mirielle Edelweiss (666) has posed:
    From behind Dominic, there comes a quiet cough.

    From a recycling bin, that seems a touch too clean for a festival ground. Then from the flap, comes a pair of glasses and braided pigtails. "Mister Masoch. You do know, if you just availed me of my services, you'd easily be number one among the boards." Mirielle calls out to him, before slowly climbing out of the recycling bin, her school uniform added onto with a simple, and rather dark and forboding travelling cloak that hangs over her shoulders, with a dark hood that she draws up, shadowing her eyes and face, leaving only her comically large glasses and her hanging pigtails over her shoulders revealed. She looks, for all intents and purposes, like some sort of horrible dark cultist.

    "Ah. I am very glad that KIRIN is here to keep the peace." Mirielle offers, as her shaded smile favors Audrey. "Do you require any... services?" She asks, before drawing out her notebooks. "Perhaps with your... math homework? The usual rates apply." She offers darkly, as she flips through the pages, drawing out a pen to start marking down things.

Souji Murasame (627) has posed:
Souji Murasame is present, but he is not mingling with the rowd. The celebration and the March of Victory is punctuated with the low rumble of thunder and lightning as the Ame-no-Torifune, the skyship Ark of the Murasame Family, hangs in the air at berth.

The craft appears to resemble designs from Feudal Japan, with a mix of old stylings and open deck mixed with magitechnological advancements. Lightning cannons hum from mounts on the sides, with the sail a gleaming blue set of hexagonal energy barriers. A horseshoe-shapeed swt of spires rise up aroun the rear of the ship, lightning being absorbed and running between them like Jacob's Ladders. On the sides of the ship, swiveling lightning cannons hang on ball mounts.

A ramp stretches from the foredeck of the ship to the main party area, and the ship itself is heavily decorated for the occasion with subtle and rich lights, quality silks, and an array of expertly-prepared foods. Souji himself sits at a private table, looking down over the proceedings with glass of expensive wine in one hand. He does not seem bored. He is, however, watching for something. The wine swirls in his hand as he waits patiently.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
As the night goes on and everyone heads in for activities there come, in small groups or singularly, a set of girls and boys in various outfits that are native to whatever home plate they're from. From Shivans bundled up in lightly comfortable gear, to a few Levitani here and there in nothing more thn a tank top and shorts, the members scatter around the group, mainly hanging around the food and everything else.

A last figure enters, in a hooded dark blue cloak, but seemingly allowed to be there for all it's a little weird. She joins up with a few of the Levitani folks, chatting with them. There's a brief pause in the music, before it rolls over to something that sounds very suspiciously like swing. (It's swing, okay, it's just swing.) The girl in the hooded cloak smiles, then as a guy moves through the audience, she ditches the cloak, it falling over a nearby chair as she goes to join him and the pair start doinga obviously choreographed dance.

Flash mob!

As it goes from one song, seamlessly into another, the rest of the small group that trickled in a little bit late until there are twenty dancers out on the floor. The dance continues, each pair showing off some neat trick or special dance move before they go back to the Galianda version of the lindy hop. There's a large, sudden noise, and they all stop, pointing up at the sky for a brief moment, before the song switches over one last time, now breaking out into more elaborate choreography.

When the song finishes, the group holds still, forming a hume-made chocobo, ala marching bands, before the group breaks off as a whole, many of them opting to leave while more depart to talk to other students.

Cassandra herself flicks her bangs back out of her eyes, barely even breathing heavily, before she turns, her blue eyes brazenly scanning the crowd before she spots Landon, giving the prince a proper curtsey without a word. Everyone who pays attention who is a Galianda native recognizes her, at this point.

Grant Mason (667) has posed:
    With all the KIRIN troops around, one would almost expect Grant Mason to be armored up and joining them. But he's got better things to do today. Like eat! Having gathered up a wide array of dishes from various vendors, the huge TItanic is walkingd own one of the festival streets, chewing away at something as he takes in the sights.

    Sure, they celebrate Victory Day on Titan, he would even usually get the day off from the mines, but the celebrations he would attend were never even in his wildest dreams anything like this. At the moment he's not going out of his way to antagonize anybody, either. This is always a good sign when it comes to him.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako brightens and then waves hello cheerfully to Kyra. "Hello Kyra!" Oh certainly, she's not dressed in her blue fortune teller outfit right now, but it's still very clearly Ayako. Besides, having a ton of outfits is just something she does.

    And then she hears a familiar voice also call out to Kyra. "Ah." Ayako turns around quickly and... huh. The Alexander Academy logos are pretty pominent on Ainsley's clothing. She smiles brightly. "Hello Ainsley! Something tells me you're a new teacher at the academy." And then she bursts into giggles.

    She waves hello to Deelel and Noiela as they arrive too. "Hello Deelel and... umm... hmmm... we haven't met yet... But I agree! They definitely pulled out all the stops!" Ayako giggles softly. "I'm Ayako Hasekawa, a water spirit. Please call me Ayako! As fellow extraversal people, I hope to get along!" She smiles cheerfully at Noiela to try to ease her anxiousness.

    Ayako then looks up when Soan calls out. "Hello Soan!"

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     "No rest for the wicked, and justice never sleeps, is it?" Landon observes as he watches Dominic work from afar, a smile on his face. They were tenets he firmly agreed with - a firm hand to those who needed such a thing applied, and vigilance ever-placed. It was just a family thing, but it was one more reason Landon found Dominic a fine friend and companion - in a world full of people who might stab him in the back at a moment's notice, it was good to have people you trusted.

     "Lady Ayako," Landon replies smoothly, a smile on his face as the Water Spirit arrives, "You look lovely as always. Welcome to our humble festival. It took a bit of doing, but everyone loosens up a bit where Victory Day is concerned. If you can't party today, and all that." He nods politely at Soan, as well.

     "Happy Victory Day, Soan, and many more."

     Landon offers Kyra a broad smile as she and the others arrive. "Lady Hyral, Lady Deelel, Noiela...you all look splendid. How do you do?"

     "Ah, as a matter of fact, this reminds me that I owe you a present. And I expected to see you today, so..." Landon digs into his coat's inner pocket and pulls out a small paperback book. The art on the cover depicts some sort of knight with a cannon slung over his shoulder, staring up the mountain of Titan. It's labelled THE JOURNEY OF BELOUNAND: A HISTORICAL FICTION.

     "It's about humble Knight-Cannonneer in love with a girl from Titan, but her father refuses to let him see her because he's of low birth and her family is very rich," Landon explains as he presses the book into her hands, "It's a wonderful book. I hope you enjoy it."

     Cassandra receives Landon's standard hand-kiss and bow, the proper greeting for nobility. "Lady Dolet," he offers politely, "You look radiant, this evening. Your dancers put on quite the spectacle; that must've taken weeks to choreograph. My blade salute whoever put such a thing together."

     Evidently 'my blade salute' is like 'my hat's off' for Galiandan knights.

     Landon looks away from the gaggle of pretty girls for a brief moment to gaze over at Ame-no-Torifune. His smile doesn't waver, but his eyes narrow, an almost imperceptible amount.

     ...well. Murasame was that sort of man, after all.

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Right away, Kyra recognizes Ayako. It's mostly due to the voice and the cheerful demeanor! Kyra waves back. "Hi! Hey! Welcome! Happy Victory Day!"    Deelel has arrived, as Kyra expected, and she seems pretty pleased about that! Just a few days ago the Program had admitted that she wanted to visit Galianda some more-and what better time to do so than during the BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR! "Hey Dee! Glad you could make it! Pretty great, right?"

    It's not that much of a surprise to see Ainsley here since she was officially faculty now...but...

    Kyra has NEVER seen the lizard woman so excited before. Usually she had a sort of cool, controlled demeanor to her. Stern. Uber adult. But now...? "...Ainsley?" she asks in disbelief. "Is that really you?" Maybe the teacher just became a whole different person when parties were involved? Kyra can dig it, either way.

    "Oh, thank you, Prince." Kyra says in a strangely stilted voice as she resists making it sound like she's tittering with glee even though that's what she WANTS to do. Poor Noiela is left to Landon's masculine wiles and generous gift, all the sudden. Especially since something else distracts Kyra at that moment, "Soan, is that cologne I smell on you?" she asks, peering at him curiously. "I don't think I've ever-"

    Suddenly Kyra is /thoroughly distracted/ by the dancer flash mob. So distracted that she's pulled out her phone and started videotaping it. The video is posted to Mogtube about a minute after the entire choreographed dance ends.

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
"Thanks, I try my best. A blade in motion never finds itself rusting," Dominic says, adjusting the beret on his head and the half-cloak he wears normally. He smiles at the KIRIN operative and then puts his hand on his pocket, "You have been busy as well. Your W@RK feed says you've been on some pretty interesting missions. Has the new communication gear been keeping you networked enough? I can get you a signal booster for more isolated areas." It's a mixture of friendly chatter and business. Landon, from afar, gets a smile and a thumbs up. Dominic is happy that Landon has some actual people coming to chat him up.

Dominic blinks several times as a recycling bin opens up and the girl climbs out of it. He looks over at her, taking a few moments before recognizing the Shadow Broker of Alexander Academy, "Ah! Miss Edelweiss. It is nice to see your hiding places are becoming more environmentally conscious. But I would decline aid in my bounty work, it takes the fun out of the hu-" He would continue but he is cut off by the fact that he has to stare at a Flash mob.

This he watches with a tilted head. Cassandra Dolet had pulled off yet another amazing spectacle, "Well, it looks like she has outdone herself this time. The school will talk about this little show for quite some time." He smiles a bit and then looks back to the two people he was talking with.

Deelel has posed:
Deelel looks over to Ayako as she greets her she smiles.

"If I'd known it be this sort of a party I'd have offered my services as a Deejay!"

seems to be quite upbreat Noiela gets a look from her and she adds.

"Greetings human I'm Deelel it's good to meet you."

She look to Landon and smiles.

"Thank you I have to say I'm glad I accepted Kyra's invite to this."

Deelel is totally taking this all in, it's onw crazy but wonderful festival to be sure.

"It is and your world's impressive in general. There are few if any quite like it, which says a lot in the multiverse."

pause as she sees the flash mob and she grins she's very tempted to try and fall in with them...

Souji Murasame (627) has posed:
Souji happens to already be looking in Landon's direction. Perhaps it's because he's in the middle of a pile of extraversal visitors... Or perhaps he constantly keeps track of Landon's comings and goings. The logic of Ramuh's cutthroat nobility does not stop simply because the Plates have.

Souji smiles thinly and takes a sip of his wine, calmly, as an attendant brings him a small plate of appetizers.

Noiela (647) has posed:
"How...thank you." Noiela is not the most locquacious person, so her body has to articulate for her the simple, effective pleasure gained from his gift as she clutches it possessively to her chest, fingers tenderly running down the paper thin spine. The giant ship with its ostentatious entrance could be a rowboat painted in peeling gray for all she might be aware in her slightly disquieting reaction.

Snapping out of her book induced haze, she nods towards Deelel, Ayako and Ainsley. Without even thinking she weighs them up mentally, filing away the highly electic array of appearances for later.

"My name is Noiela. It is quite...unique, although by now that word has gone the way of the flightless bird one man told me about. It no longer has much resonance when-" A flick of the wrist, taking in the vast company at hand. "When...possibly the most abnormal creature would be plain man, no powers. No skills."

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     THE CROWD POSE
     While the general atmosphere around the city is one of celebration and delight, those who bother to look around might notice a sort of...discontent, rippling through the crowd. while it's not from the Alexander Academy students, mostly, there's an undercurrent of displeasure that rolls along beneath the crowd like a great beast just beneath the waves of Leviathan. Here and there, people are giving Looks to the Extraversals - unpleasant looks. Some people also appear to be carrying cardboard signs, and occasionally, the smell of rotten (if exotic!) fruits fills the air despite the lovely delicacies around.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
Cassandra gives Landon a bright, charming smile. "My dear Prince, it's a pleasure to see you all again. I only got the permission to be able to interact outside of Galianda and thus with these... new people..." She side-eyes Noiela and Deelel, "From my father and Headmaster this morning. I am glad I was able to make the party; and thank you, the choreography was a group effort between the dancers."

She follows his glance, and leans in towards him, voice dropping to a soft murmur. "Murasame hasn't shown up personally yet, then?"

She then looks over at the new people. "Hello, I am Cassandra Dolet, heiress to the Dolet megacorporation. It is a pleasure to meet you!" She lifts her hand up to wave at Kyra and the rest of the Academy students she can spot easily in the crowd.

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
The Thief gives a lovely nod at thoses greeting him back, grinning wide at Kyra. "Hey, there's a begining for everything." Soan replies, shaking Landon's hand as he speak then moving on, but remaining close for the moment. He's got people to greet and meet, afterall. "And I didn't know you /wore/ your uniform at all! Hahahah! You all have fun!"

     He stick near-by, but something do bother him still tonight. Something nags him. The old reflex of scanning the crowd, giving it looks, peering at individuals with more precision than the average person really should, he notices trends. Trends that worries him.

     Signs. The smell of rotten fruits is distinctive to him, even through his cologne. That's the blessing and curse of a superhuman sense of smell. Stares goes at the World's guests. Something's building up. Something he don't really like.

     Soan vanishes from the little meet and greet, instead going into the crowd to sneak up behind one such cardboard-carrying person, giving it a good look. He hope his paranoia is unfounded. Fortunately, the Dolet lady's flash mob /helps/.

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    "That... will not be necessary, Edelweiss. Thank you?" That's Audrey being confused. She may have heard of Mirielle by reputation for her strange behavior but having her just spring out of a recycling bin and push homework help like that is... a little bit past her expectations. Evidently she didn't pay the rumors enough mind. "If you do not mind, why were you in that bin? Were you just waiting for someone to have a conversation near it?"

    Then to Dominic, Audrey nods. "Sufficiently so, yes. The network doesn't reach every area yet but perhaps that is simply a matter of time. A booster would be appreciated. Perhaps if it performs well enough we can see about including it in KIRIN's standard operation gear," she says, though also thinks: 'until we can make our own'. It wouldn't do to have a sub-branch of the Murasame Zaibatsu rely on another company altogether for equipment. At least, long-term.

    She looks towards Cassandra and shrugs. "I am not really one for festivities," is her reply to Dominic's observation. It's not that it isn't a great show, it's more like she doesn't care enough to be open about it. Maybe she does SECRETLY like fun. It'll have to stay a secret.

Mirielle Edelweiss (666) has posed:
    Mirielle nods lightly at Dominic. "If there is one thing I can trust, it is that university students are not environmentally conscious. I had a few of my helpers keeping the Geomancers away, though. They're /vexingly/ consistent with their recycling. Thankfully, my cloak is machine washable and waterproof." She admits, before the FLASH MOB HAPPENS. It's quite fantastical! Mirielle quickly jots down a few things in her notebook before tucking it away. "If you desire that this event go off without a hitch, I know of a ritual. Here, free of charge." She offers, before pausing as a bandanna'ed classmate approaches her, whispering in her ear. She nods, patting the boy on the shoulder acknowledgingly, before the youth slips off.

    "Hmm. Well." She offers. "Now... Hair of Bomb..." She draws a pinch of fiery red strands, before... Well, wandering off. She returns with a small cup with a tiny splash of COURAGE CHILI.

    "In lieu of essence of Truest Death, I shall have to substitute for this. I suppose it shall serve." She grumbles, sprinkling the bomb hair into the cup, before carefully balancing her pointer finger over the cup, and drawing forth an EXTREMELY SHADY curved black knife with a silver handle and a blood-red gem set in the pommel to prick her finger.

    There is a surge of rather dark magic, and then... Nothing happens. "And now I have ensured that this day will be pleasant and exciting for you, Sir Masoch. Enjoy." She offers, tossing the cup over her shoulder into a nearby trash receptacle.

    To Audrey, she simply looks at her spacily. "Of course. How would you suggest I approach business targets clandestinely?"

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako blinks her eyes slowly when the music suddenly changes to swing-and then suddenly, flash mob! Her hands clap together softly as she watches the choreographed dance. If there's one thing she can appreciate from her idol singer training in the past, it's a well pulled off dance! Her amber eyes take in the dance and then she claps more loudly once they finish. "Oohh... that was amazing that."

    Ayako blushes lightly at Landon's compliment and then shakes her head slowly. "Humble, huh? Well, I'll have fun people watching." She smiles softly. It seems she has more fun watching others have fun than actively participating.

    Ayako then grins at Kyra and Deelel. "Looks like it's going to be a fun festival!" She smiles cheerfully in return to Noiela. "Nice to meet you Noiela." Ayako's head inclines to the side gently. "Hmm... normal's a relative term anyway. I prefer stimulating things either way, normal or not." She smiles softly.

    As for the unpleasant looks she's being given by a few people in the crowd? Ayako does notice them, but she doesn't seem to care much. And it's not like she can smell rotten fruits anyway!

    Ayako returns Cassandra's greeting with a cheerful smile and a polite curtsey. "Nice to meet you, Cassandra. That was quite a wonderful dance."

Deelel has posed:
Deelel looks to Noeila for a moment and nods

"That's a nice name I like it."

Deelel doesn't get a chance to say more as she's now being adreessed by Cassy.

"It'sq quite the bit isn't it? It's good to meet you Miss Dolett and I'm Deelel."

Ayoko also gets a reply.

"It's been fun already!"

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Something feels a little off.

    Kyra doesn't let it show. She continues to grin, privately grinning at Noiela's reaction to her gift. She's jealous, sure, but at the same time the girl's movements were SO CUTE. Though with this in mind, Kyra tries to play it off like she doesn't notice it's happening, merrily multitasking away as she checks the newly-posted comments on her upload while responding to Soan.

    "Oh, is that some kind of new Victory Day Oath for you?" she giggles at the thief, nudging him with a shoulder, "'I vow to smell nice until the next Victory Day?' Hehehehe."

    Slipping the phone away, Kyra gives a grin to Cassandra, then asides to Deelel. "Well there's always room for DJing a little later when the dancing gets underway. Like the normal dancing not this fancy flash mob stuff. That was a surprise to me too. I could let you cut in on the DJing then if you want, I doubt anyone's going to mind."

    Mirielle gets the dubious honor of being the first to have anything to do with the Courage Chili.

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     "Of course, Lady Noiela," Landon replies, his smile wide, "Happy Victory Day. I hope you enjoy our humble celebration. Make sure you try some of the Ramuhan Cuisine Club's food, by the by; our home has some lovely delicacies."

     "It's wonderful to see you, regardless, Lady Dolet. Our Extraversal visitors have so far been nothing but wonderful; I'm certain that Leviathan will be able to benefit from Extraversal trade and diplomacy as easily as Ramuh and Chocobo have."

     Landon leans in a bit, whispering into her ear. "No. He's still in his ship, I suspect. Keeping an eye on things. The crowd seems...unusually restless." It wasn't like LANDON kept track of all of SOUJI'S movements.

     Oh wait, yes he totally did. The movements of the Ramuhan nobility are probably ludicrously well-documented, given how cutthroat the upper-class politics are.

     Then he straightens and tugs on his tie slightly, looking over at Kyra. "Of course."

     Ainsley gets a slightly belated bow-and-hand-kiss like every other woman. Reptile or not is kind of irrelevant - /good manners are important/. "Good day, Lady Ainsley. Happy Victory Day. I hope you enjoy our humble celebration."

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
Dominic smiles politely at both Audrey and Mirielle while he also gives Audrey a faint gesture once he can smell the rotten fruit in the air. He shuffles his feet a little, talking to Mirielle directly, "Ah, a ritual. I... thank you?" He's not sure how to actually react, because that was SHADY AS ALL HELL. But Mirielle has connections and it's best not to rustle her jimmies where possible, "If my day becomes interesting I will have you to thank."

It may look like he's casually foot-shuffling, but someone who knows how bodyguarding works like Audrey can see that Dominic is actually sliding himself between Mirielle and the bulk of crowds. It's a calm and relaxed gesture that isn't meant to be obvious to anyone but trained eyes.

The Fencer then gives Audrey a thoughtful noise, "Yes, I can see what prototypes I can get released for use in the field under the pretense of testing. I would hate if KIRIN were unable to alert its troops in time in the event of suspicious behavior," He crosses his arms a bit and then nods to Audrey.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    "Oh yes, it's me," Ainsley insists to Kyra, though her cheer becomes more subdued gradually. Soan's greeting toward her throws her off of her cheer, her feathers puffing out in an almost comical display of embarrassment. She self-consciously fixes her robes and makes sure that such a statement is true, fussing a lot with herself for no reason.

    "Do you think so? I thought I looked stuff. I almost brought my flower dress, but then the students--"

    She realizes everyone else is distracted, and this is when Landon's belated greeting gets a startled and cartoonish blinking from the scholar lizard.

    "O-oh. Right. Yes." She blusters a little. "Happy Victory Day," she manages, meekly, and then she tries to mingle into the Kyra-DLL-Noiela group, lingering nearby awkwardly, slowly regaining her original cheer.

Grant Mason (667) has posed:
    Pausing in his wandering around to grab some new type of food from Ramuh that he's never tried before, Grant spots Audrey and begins to wander over in her direction. While the two of them would hardly be considered friends in the traditional sense, they have had numerous interactions when working with KIRIN.

    As he approaches where she's at, he has to maneuver around a pair of younger students and nearly drops his armful of food. It's not the most graceful maneuver ever and undoubtedly will garner some kind of attention, considering the size of the guy trying not to drop more dinner than most people would eat in a week. He does manage to save everything from hitting the ground, and grunts faintly as he glares at the students who are running off.

Noiela (647) has posed:
Soan pings on Noielas personal radar seconds before he exits it, nose wrinkling slightly at the less than heavenly fragrance tickling her senses.

An itch beneath her glove, the prickling resentment and fear from the slowly surging mob wave reaches her remotely, dispersing the daze entirely. Fingers creep to grasp her tome-only to remember she left both sword and tome at her sparse lodgings under the steely eye of the landlord and her cast iron coiffure.

"Um, fellow outsiders? I would uh...suggest you keep an eye." A faint dip at the waist for Cassandra, evidently distracted by the rising tension. If her constant head turning to assess their immediate surrounding was not enough indication, her crunched boots as she arches her heels in an almost imperceptible 'dance' on her heels broadcasts it. Also, no flushed countenance when Landon pays her attention.

This is serious, all of a sudden. This is a potential battle, and she intends to slip away at the first opportunity to locate a spot where she might better scrutinize.

"Happy Victory Day-excuse me a moment. Na...nature break."

Ainsley might catch as the human brushes brusquely past her a quiet note of warning, borderline inaudible.
"Keep alert. Those natives look ready to engage in a bloodied punching session."

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    AND THEN SUDDENLY...

    Helena attempts to SNEAK ATTACK Kyra! With a hug from behind. A warm embrace aiming to pin her rather velumptious figure against the back of the middle Hyral sister. "Hiiiiiii everyone!~" Helena says as cheerfully as the morning field after a massive battle. Aiming to keep her victim pressed to her, should she be unfortinate enough to be grappled. She looks towards Soan, a flash between them might be seen...after all, rivals or something like that. "Soan!" She says, still keeping her Kyra battle armor on, before looking towards the ackward lizard. Interesting!

    "Come on now, Kyra, introduce me to your friends! Come on now, no need to be shy..." She giggles, mischevious.

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    "Proper communication is indeed the driving force of most of our operations," Audrey offers to Dominic, in a proper, generic, I've been trained to answer this tone. Given more agency to be self-centered she would say someone like her is the true driving force. Can't get anywhere without someone who knows what he's doing to lead the men. Even if you train them very well, which KIRIN personnel is.

    "Thank you for your contributions. I'll ensure that mister Murasame knows about the offer and that all testing results are properly routed to you." FUUJIN gets first crack, but she wouldn't say that out loud.

    She turns to look at Mirielle, uncertain how to answer. "I would say you should not approach students clandestinely, but if you absolutely must, perhaps pick a camouflage a little bit cleaner than trash or recyling bins. I am certain a Thief or Ninja could show you how to spring up from people's shadows." In retrospect she should not have given her that idea. Damnit, she's too straight for this.

    As Grant approaches, Audrey gives a half-wave half-salute. He's not really on duty so formalities are just that. "Mason. Everything alright?"

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
"Thank you, miss Ayako." Cassandra says. "We had lots of fun organizing and choreographing it. Too, too much time spent on the tricks though. Why does no one know how to do a triple pirouette anymore?" She asks, an eyebrow shakng her head at Kyra. "No more flash mobs! None that I'm aware of, at least, I promise you this." She lifts her hand and waves at Ainsley as well. She watches Noiela go, before turning back to Landon at the sight of ohdeargodit'sHelena.

"Hmm, yes, that's part of why my father allowed this, as we're in the trading and item business. I think he hopes we can come to agreements with some other courier and stuff-getting companies out there." She glances back up at the airship. "They are restless. I think we need to get them focused back on the celebration and not our visitors." She says, very, very quietly. Then, louder, "Speaking of dancing, though, would you grant me the honor of one, Landon?"

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako blinks her eyes quickly when Helena tries to sneak attack Kyra suddenly with a hug. "A-ahh... Hello!"

    She nods slowly once to Noiela. Ayako has a feeling she knows what will happen with the crowd, but she doesn't really show any worry in her expression or behavior. She does however, start to think of a barrier that could help against thrown rotten fruit. Why yes, she does have a barrier for this. Several, even. But which one would be best for a sensitive situation like this? That takes more time.

    She smiles brightly in return to Cassandra. "It's true, a lot of people that say they're 'dancers' are so fixated on the modern styles that they neglect the classics and what they have to offer." Ayako puffs her cheeks out in a slight pout. And then smiles softly, with a hint of smile to herself, when Cassandra proposes a dance to Landon.

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Kyra waves Ainsley over. "Here, come meet Miss Dolet. She's the heiress to the Dolet corporation, the major manufacturer of summoning matrixes. She's also an alumni of Alexander Academy. And a dancer, obviously."

    Suddenly BACK ATTACK!!!

    Kyra squeals as Helena clamps herself around her, though she doesn't start to struggle until she hears the thief greet everyone and she realizes who it is. Unfortunately, Kyra doesn't have much in the way of 'physical strength' and can't exactly escape from enthusiastic girl. "H-hey, lemmego!" she whines, squirming some more before she lets out a resigned sigh.

    "So we have Deelel, Ainsley-though you should already know her since she's one of our teachers now-, this is Ayako, you should also recognize her since she's our newest school nurse. She's a water spirit. And that-" she gestures with her chin because her arms are pinned, "-that is Noiela. She's from a place that also has magic."

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    "Hey, you didn't introduce me!" Helena does not lose her grip easily, clinging on. Helena is moderately strong, but more lithe than strong. She easily manuevers to keep her grip.

    "Also, I am not letting go until you have a dance with me."

Mirielle Edelweiss (666) has posed:
    "Ah. Well." Mirielle gives a dry smile to Audrey, as she peers around the crowd. "I tend to not want to be /that/ forboding, yes? Especially when hiding in a shadow makes you quite vulnerable to being moved around unpredictably. Though, I suppose I could try to refine my technique. I am just a lowly Calculator, though. Hiding in shadows is a more applied field!" She offers, with a sort of spacey cheer. She does enjoy talking shop, though.

    She looks at the KIRIN operative, as Dominic scooches around her, blocking her view of the crowd, causing the short girl to frown in her shady cowled hood.

    She presses her glasses up her nose, the light reflecting off her glasses. "Is there something wrong, Mister Masoch?" She asks. "Surely even the visitors we have from faraway places are well in hand. Even if there is a dustup, the combined might of the Judges, the Crownguard, KIRIN, and the school's own disciplinarians will be enough to quell it, Extraversals or no."

    She gives a big shrug. "As I said! My ritual ensures your day will be pleasant and exciting. What's more exciting than a nice party?"

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    Ainsley is more than happy to meet Dolet, the dancer getting a great big smile. "I love dancing!" she announces with almost bubbly glee, her cheerfulness having returned. She then waves at Dolet in an overly excited manner, "I'll have to see more of your dances, I insist on it," she says, stepping up to the dancer with a ton of sugar in her voice and her smile. But it dampens again...

    Because of what Noiela said. Her smile becomes tense and she looks around the crowd, poorly hiding a worry that something is going to go Badly. She keeps her eyes out, the two blue irises shining with magic so that she can't be caught from behind.

    Helena's presence gets surprise from the lizard woman, feathers puffing up. "A pleasure," she says, when she's introduced, giving a curtsey with her robes. After this, she tries to fix her puffed-up feathered head so it doesn't look like a feather duster. "I look like a cockatiel," she mutters unhappily, evidently not approving of that particular emotional cue.

    She goes back to watching for danger and unrest, because she'd been tipped off. She has sharp eyes and an understanding of history, so she can tell now that she knows what to look for that something is going on.

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     CROWD POSE

     With so many people sniffing around, it looks like the crowd is going to be fairly calm. At least, that's the case...

     ...until a rotten fruit of indiscriminate nature sails out of the crowd towards Ainsley.

     Paper signs rise amongst the crowd, generally from people of Shivan makeup and in Shivan dress. More fruit comes sailing forward as the crowd bursts into shouts.

     "YOU AREN'T WELCOME HERE!"
     "TYRANTS FROM ANOTHER WORLD!"
     "RAMUH'S SOLD OUT!"
     "DON'T BELIEVE RAMUH'S LIES!"
     "GET OUT!"
     "GALIANDA FOR GALIANDANS!"

Souji Murasame (627) has posed:
As the cries begin, Souji simply sits there, watching intently at the protestors and their actions... And more importantly, the reactions of the classmates and the off-world guests.

Again, he sips his wine, still sitting on the foredeck of his airship, which is still berthed with a ramp connecting onto the Great Span as it floats next to them.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    SPLAT!!

    Ainsley looks aghast as something horrible and smelly hits her face. Thankfully she has a hankerchief to clean it off of her face, after she wipes it off, but she isn't about to start retaliating against the crowd as they start shouting things that don't make sense to her and continue flinging rotten fruit. Once that gets really going...

    She sort of shuffles back and tries to find cover, her eyes watering and nothing but fear and distress on her face. What can she even do? She doesn't want to attack them, that'd just prove them right!

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako quickly dances around Ainsley the moment a rotten fruit takes flight from the crowd. Her palms are suddenly thrust outwards. "Fruit Magnet Whirl!" And then water suddenly swirls about Ayako. Oddly enough, any thrown fruit in the air is attracted towards the whirlling water barrier to get caught in it. It's a bit too late to stop the first thrown fruit, though. And said fruit would no doubt hit Ainsley.

    Ayako sighs softly and takes off her witch hat. She flips it upside down and then holds it out. Every so often, a rotten fruit caught in the barrier will plop out of the barrier, devoid of water and into her hat. "What a waste of food..."

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
As Grant wanders over, Dominic gives him a nod in greeting before his hand moves to his hip and he and he nods to Audrey, "Of course. I doubt I can free up much non-patented or unrevealed prototypes, but perhaps something due out in the next couple months," Can't have Murasame pre-empting new releases or anything. Still, he waves his hand to Audrey.

"You have no need to thank me, though. Murasame Security, if nothing else, has been business partners with my family for years. It is mutually beneficial," If about as trusting as two wolves fighting over a single piece of steak. That smile comes back to his face before he looks to Mirielle.

"Should problems arise, it would still be an unfortunate event if one of your station were injured before it could be contai-" He cuts off as the crowd starts to rile itself up, "Stay here. Protect her."

The Fencer draws his blade. It's not his standard mithril rapier, but a blunted training one from the Academy that he uses for Bounty Board targets. He scowls and then turns, jumping straight up and forward with an amazing amount of agility and strength.

[>Fencer]

[Swallowtail]

While in midair, his Rapier moves in a swift and decisive fashion, creating a cutting and circular flow of energy around him as he channels his MP. It's an omni-directional attack in the air that slices and dices multiple pieces of fruit, all of which fall around Dominic as he lands.

"Unacceptable," He says to the crowd in a loud and firm tone, scowling heavily, "This day is not to be befouled by this behavior. Disperse immediately."

He has yet to attack a protestor, so much as just deflect a lot of flying fruit with a Fencer maneuver.

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Kyra huffs, "And this is Helena. Now let me go." she says stubbornly, saying nothing about agreeing to a dance or not.

    Then the Shivans reveal themselves, confirming Kyra's fears that had been stoked earlier by the general feeling of discontent. Much to her horror, they start harassing the extraversal friends of hers-including the Academy's new teacher. Her struggles against Helena's grasp resume with increased vigor.

    "HEY! They're not /tyrants/!!!" she shouts back at the protesters angrily, "They're people /like us/!"

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     "I would like nothing more, Lady Dolet" Landon tells Cassie. As he's about to take her hand, however, the crowd becomes restless and unhappy. The protestors immediately draw Landon's attention as his Judges move out of the crowd and around the small group, closing ranks. A riot was a good time for an assassination.

     "-but I fear it may need to wait," he adds a moment later.

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena releases Kyra when shit gets real. Helena frowns slightly, but rolls her eyes at the unwashed masses reaction...what is going on here is so transparent that it hurts her head, and she crosses her arms and watches things happen.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
"It will indeed, how disappointing."

Cassandra glances as the judges and knights and other protectorates of Landon al Cid start approaching, and Cassie swiftly slides out of the group so she has more freedom to move, taking a solid stance, hands on her hips, her blue eyes glittering as she stares at the crowd, most particularly the Shivans.

She shifts her weight -very- deliberately, in an action every single person in the crowd that ever has seen a Dancer perform her actual job know that she's prepping for something - anything. "HEY!" She shouts at the group. "Is this how you really want us to know that you don't like what is happening? I understand tradition, I'm Levitani! Tradition lies in my bones, in the bells I wear in my hair! You're no good than tyrants yourself, acting out like this. What's the real issue goin' on here, huh?" Your dad will be proud, Cassandra. Also try not to get yourself killed, your dad already lost one child in the past couple of months.

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    "Perhaps. I would not know how best to stalk and approach someone to sell him help with homework, so you may take my advice as lightly as you wish," Audrey responds to Mirielle, nodding to her next statement. "I should think anyone attempting to disrupt these festivities with hostilities to be very foolish to opposed the concentrated guards here, yes."

    Then to Dominic: "We strive to establish positive relationships with all of our clients, naturally. Even in those circumstances, I should still thank you for allowing us to do our job better. It is simple etiquette."

    And then fruits. Audrey frowns. Her hand slides towards her gunblade but she does not actually move. KIRIN troops don't, either, probably because Audrey's other hand pokes at the screen atop her other hand and sends a 'hold' signal. Also because Souji said to hold.

    They'll step in if things get too bad, surely, but right now it's just rotten fruits and words. Souji's curiosity in how the offworlders handle this is now Audrey's as well.

Bahamut has posed:
     As fruits and insults and cries of national pride start flying, a dark shadow passes over the crowd. A look upward would reveal the source to be a rather large dragon, but perhaps not so large as one might expect. The grey metallic dragon with the multicolored wings circles the area, unaware of what is happening below.

     Then, he starts diving. Rapidly. It looks like he might crash right into the ground below, but his wings spread at the last moment to slow his fall, and he comes to a landing in an open area, sending out a small shockwave with his impact. He lets out a roar, then stands tall and crosses his arms. "I heard there was a celebration to Victory being held in this area. I hope I am not too late for the festivities!" he says, grinning.

     But, as Bahamut surveys the crowd, he realizes this is not the happy celebration he was expecting. His grin lessens, and he snorts. "Was I mistaken?"

Kamon Lionward (628) has posed:
Kamon has been off celebrating elsewhere. He's been on the phone for the last couple hours, talking to family that couldn't afford to be away from Junkyard for any time before Victory Day. The day itself is the only time he'd have a chance; it's calm down there now, like it always is this time of year. The worst, then silence, then back to the worst. The eye of the storm.

He's got reason to be /here/, though. Can't celebrate Victory Day without friends.

"Hey!" Kamon approaches the Shivans from the side. He's a figure in bright red and gleaming silver, wearing a robe over enameled, apparently ceremonial armor, a sword at his hip and a stack of boxes in his arms. The gleaming gauntlet of Genji Enforcement is prominent on his shoulder and chest. It looks like he just came from the wrong direction at the wrong time. "This is not a day where you fight /anyone/! Don't you /dare/ ruin --"

A shadow passes over. The Odynari looks straight up, and the color drains out of his face. Things just got two hundred percent worse.

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
     Soan is far too late to stop anything. By the time he get a confirmation, the crowd decides that it's time to act. A few volleys are subtly stolen from several Shivan-makeup wearing students, discarding the exotic fruits into the ground to be trampled. He has no real containers to keep them, he'll just suck up the irony of littering!

     Then it goes bad. Not nearly as bad as he imagined it would be, but this is still bad. It may be time to throw out some sense into that bunch of crazies. It's almost blasphemous to throw out some comotion like this on /Victory Day/. A part of Soan, the Dragoon part, is rather indignated at this. Have they moved too fast, integrating extraversal, not taking heed of what people think? Or is this just some kids being manipulated by their elders? He vanishes from the crowd, dashing in the shadows as he makes to a more isolated cover.

     Moments later, the flash of his transformation subdued by the chaos of the party, DRAGOON MAN leaps out of the alley way to land on top of a tall sign post, proudly proclaiming the festivities.

     Dragoon Man's voice booms, downward at the increasing rioters. He stands tall, proud, balanced on one leg on the top of the post with his arms crossed, glowing eyes glaring downward.

     His voice booms.

     "Is this what we wish to display to who do not know us?" Dragoon Man intones outward. "This is disgraceful! They may not share the same shape and cultures as we do, but they are more similar to us than you think!" The Dragoon swings an arm. This is Victory Day! This is the day we remember our ancestor fought so hard against the Enemy, the sacrifices that they have made for us to be able to be here! Not a day for fighting! It is a time to welcome thoses who do not know of our ways! This--"

     Dragoon man's amplified voice is drowned out by the arrival of a /real freaking dragon. Soan knows who this is. He heard of him on the radio. He didn't want to believe it. Yet, it's enough for him to stop and stare at Bahamut landing. Oh dear Sky-Given-Form.

     The other one. Not this one.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    Ainsley may have been restraining the urge to cry before. Then a bunch of people showed up, shouting at the protestors for acting against the spirit of Victory Day. People practically came out of the woodwork to defend people like her, and Finna, and Deelel, and Noiela.

    The crowd gets to see tears running down the lizard girl's face now. She can't even see past her own waterworks. This has gotten her too emotional to even think. All attempts to wipe away excess tears with her sleeves fail.

Mirielle Edelweiss (666) has posed:
    Mirielle smiles pleasantly all around. Surely, with the ABSOLUTE CONFLUENCE of forces here, and the Extraversals playing nice, nothing would happen. She even oooh'ed appreciatively oohed at Dominic's graceful swordplay.

    "It seems I am in your care." She offers to Audrey cheerily, before lowering her hood and stretching. Entirely unflappable, or simply too spacey to fully understand the issues at hand, she smiles, and watches Landon, and smiles, and there's a fucking dragon, and smi-

    Oh wait.

    Let's back that up a bit.

    A dark, horrified look crosses her face, and she almost snarls a single word. "... Paprika."

    She takes Audrey by the arm, and tugs at her lightly. "Follow me if you wish to remain my protector." She orders, rather... Directly, to the KIRIN operative, before she makes a beeline for the COURAGE CHILI. And, as she approaches it, she produces a single spoon, before dipping it in, mixing it around... And then tasting the drippings from her spoon.

    She's forced to Esuna herself afterwards, in a spiral of white magic, but the scowl on her face has turned into horror. She moves to Kyra, taking her by the shoulders (Which is a feat, Mirielle is short) and shaking, her hood having since been redrawn. "You fool! YOU TERRIBLE FOOL! Why Paprika?! WHY DID YOU PUT PAPRIKA IN CHILI!?!" She cries, looking at Dominic. "DOMINIC! THE RITUAL! THERE WAS ANOTHER INGREDIENT! I'VE MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE!"

    She... Looks a little frantic.

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     Landon fades into the background as he's quickly barricaded behind a small group of Judges, in case of something getting worse happening. The crowd, in general, is unswayed by people's shouts; the mob of Shivan protestors roars their roars of anti-Extraversal propaganda. They shout and yell and curse, slinging fruit and anger at Ainsley and Ayako, the two most obvious Extraversals. Ainsley isn't a hume, and Ayako's strange powers mark her a probably Extraversal as well.

     Dominic's impressive swordplay stops most of their airborne projectiles cold. Ayako's magic disperses the rest. It gives Dragoon Man a few moments to get to his place, to shout and make declarations and remind people of what it is to be a decent person, and Kamon and Kyra and Helena and the others to speak about the power of Togetherness and how in the end everyone is basically the same. The crowd looks like it's about to start dispersing, mostly - although there's a distinctly *professional* organization to this supposedly-random protest. There's something very distinctly professional about it all, in fact.

     And then the dragon arrives. Most people on Galianda have never seen a dragon. Most people on Galianda know the dragons to be something powerful and dangerous, mysterious somethings that live on the Sky-Given-Form and work through the dragoons.

     The fact that a Dragoon's appearance only shortly preceded the dragon's appearance prompts the people into something of a panic. It continues to be a well-organized panic, though - and, if people are paying careful attention, they might notice people spreading word through the crowd.

     It alternates between whispers of /the Enemy/ and murmurs of /the Extraversals are of the Enemy/, and similar such things.

     Nothing - /nothing/ - gets Galiandans in a panic like mention of the ENemy. And nothing reinforces their presence like a Dragon and a Dragoon.

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    "You are in my... what?"
    Mirielle grabs Audrey by the arm.
    "What?"

    [You take Audrey Stormfist into your party!]
    She doesn't even get a choice or a YES/NO prompt.

    She is dragged all the way to Kyra, completely confused by the matter of the ritual (which she thought was just some sort of shady non-ritual), distracted by the appearance of an idiotic dragon, and then KYRA. Of all the people to get dragged to.

    "Hyral."
    Slow nod and glare. This is not really the time to hate on one another, and it would be unprofessional anyway. There's still hostility! Just less than usual.

    "Edelweiss, what are you even on about?"

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Being a kid of the Church of Cosma, Kyra's seen plenty of examples growing up of a mob gone bad. Though her memories do not stop her kneejerk reaction of shouting at them to behave and treate the visitors like people, she mostly expects that her words aren't really going to have much of an effect. Or words in general from anyone, really-though maybe Dragoon Man might have an effect. Or a ceremonially-garbed Kamon.

    Finally freed, she goes to Ainsley to make sure she's okay. While she suspects she's physically alright, she fears the event of having insults and fruit hurled at her was probably very upsetting. The appearance of the dragon does draw her to pull out her phone and start filming it shakily...but she's not really looking at it, pulling that multitasking thing again as she looks to Ainsley with concern.

    Then this is all interrupted as Mirielle wheels over to grab and shake her. "What! But paprika always goes in chili-oh Goddess, are you allergic to paprika!?" She flails, trying to pull Mirielle off of her, "Hold still, let me get out my epi-pen!" She stops her flailing for just a second to glare back at Audrey.

    "...Stormfist." she drawls.

Hywnd Eblan (646) has posed:
IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE! No, it's a Dragoon! An ill-timed Dragoon! And people didn't think today couldn't get any worse.

Bloodrake, also known as Hywnd Eblan, is crashing down in front of those throwing fruit, spear at her side. It's intimidation, hopefully to both stop the fruit throwing, and to stop any other possible threats of violence. But, then she hears people talking about the Enemy...and looks towards the giant dragon that has landed. Bahamut from another world, apparently. Well, this isn't good.

But she doesn't speak. She stares at the Shivans from under her mask, hoping that the sight of the dragon and her scares them off. And then, she'll deal with the extraversal dragon.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako smiles softly as she hears the declarations of togetherness and the hopes for the crowd to stop. Once the fruit stops being slung and the crowd starts to disperse, Ayako disperses her own barrier and hats the last of the dried rotten fruit. Her head inclines to the side gently as she watches the crowd carefully. The way they're withdrawing... a professional propoganda team?

    And then Ayako glances up. Oh. It's Bahamut. She sighs softly and walks over to a trash can to dispose of the dried rotten fruit in her hat. Well... things are getting awkward. To say the least.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
"Oh for the love of /Leviathan/..." Cassie can be heard from right on the other side of a Judge/guard from Landon.

Then two seperate Dragoons show up, and Cassie pokes her head back into the guard phalanx surrounding Landon. "I don't have social combat skills for this yet, Landon. But I'm going to try." She turns back to the crowd. "This is a day to remember our victories... not to start another battle!" The Levitani starts moving through the crowd, touching a shoulder there, a arm there. Her body sways as she walks - it's a very latent form of some sort of charm magic, to calm people down.

It also works as she's trying to figure out who here is the leaders. Her gaze is not on the tightly knit crowd, though, but on the people past it. People that look out of place - or people that look /too/ in place, like they couldn't care less. She continues to weave her way through the crowd though as she talks, small, encouraging words, hopign that someone else is going to act as a much bigger distract.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    The only state Ainsley could be in right now that could be any worse is complete, insane hysterics. She is leaking from the eyes like a broken faucet and just looking distraught at anything that so much as glances in her direction, trying quite desperately to hide herself from the torment. She's not whining or bawling, she's just making a lot of water from her eyes.

    She looks at Kyra with that helpless stare, the same she's giving everyone else.

    "I don't understand," she manages to say, barely coherent enough to manage it, "What did I do?"

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena has said no such thing Landon al Cid! Helena does not care about these morals or values!

    Helen continues to watch things unfold, including the dark feel between Hyral and Stormfist. Helena looks amused at this, but says nothing, instead watching things continue to unfold...the prince makes a demand, but Helena is not ordered to do anything...at least form someone that matters. Helena COULD take her own initive...

    Screw it, she thinks, and moves quietly, almost lightly away from the others and attempts to slide into the crowd of people moving away. She looks, listens, and attempts to seach out where these...leaders are.

    And then perhaps, non-leathaly assassinate.

    Of course, the Dragon being here is...a issue.

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
Dominic is momentarily happy that the crowd is dispersing before the off-world DRAGON arrives and it goes from dispersal into panic. He scowls and then goes through his mental roster of moves, watching the crowd. His eyes flick over it, watching who panics, who reacts to panic, and who isn't panicing in the crowd.

Dominic locks in on the ones that look like they're originating the seeds of panic. His eyes shut and he slides through his mental roster of moves. He eventually settles on one he likes and swipes his hand over the dull blade of his non-lethal rapier.

[Fencer]
>[Unsuspicious Second Job]

>[Sleepblade]

Primarily used by Spellblades and the occasionally highly-skilled Fencer, the Sleepblade is a simple crowd subdual maneuver meant to keep berserking targets or out of control criminals subdued.

Dominic slips from sight and begins weighing through the crowd. His rapier glows a dull, off-pink Rose Quartz color as he gently starts tapping people who are attempting to INSTIGATE panic in the small of the back, trying to calmly put them to sleep.

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Kyra looks to Ainsley and...her heart breaks at how distraught she looks. She wanted the rest of the multiverse to feel /welcome/ to Galianda, especially those who were interested in becoming teachers at Alexander Academy.

    She leaves the political diplomacy and hunting down of mob leaders to the others here and instead moves in to hug the Professor. "...nothing." she murmurs quietly to Ainsley, "You didn't do anything at all. It's not you. It's /them/. I promise."

    In a way, she also uses her position to shield Ainsley with her own body in case the disturbed mob decided to take a violent turn. Kyra's not the best of meat shields, though.

Mirielle Edelweiss (666) has posed:
    "No! No." Mirielle waves off the epi-pen and the healing aid from a concerned Kyra. "I... may have, in the spirit of festivities, potentially used a bit of a /questionably sourced/ ritual to give Mister Masoche..."

    Mirielle takes a step back, as Cold Deathstares and Rivalry Greetings are traded. "Ah. Yes. Is the required traded barbs to follow? Could we, in the interest of time, perhaps simply trust me for a few moments?" She asks, raising her quiet voice a level. "Because my ritual was to give Mister Masoche a 'Pleasant and Exciting' day. However, Paprika with the other components instead renders a portent of /doom/, and I am in need of further components to set this dark cloud hanging over that poor man's head to normal. I'll need..." She begins, before moving to Ainsley and, as she draws her wicked-looking ritual knife, murmurs very intently. "If you value yourself, hold still."

    Then she scoops some rotten apple off of Ainsley quite neatly. "Right. Ichor of Rot. Now I need... Ah. Excellent. Kyra, Miss Stormfist, your palms please? I require Rival's Blood."

Kamon Lionward (628) has posed:
Kamon recovers remarkably quickly. He tries not to yell as he speaks into his radio, and as soon as he has some kind of direction, he makes his way into the crowd. His stack of boxes are bound together with some kind of twine or rope; he excuses himself on the way through, making his way towards a Shivan woman with a red striped mask on the lower half of her face.

"Excuse me, would you -- sorry --" Kamon apparently stumbles. He angles the packages, running into the woman and hitting her on the back of the head with the top one. Whatever's inside must be heavy; she starts to fall, and Kamon catches her one-handed before she drops more than an inch, easing her out of the crowd while muttering apologies. His 'friend' must have 'drank too much.'

One down...

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Without turning back to face Mirielle, Kyra unwinds her left hand from around Ainsley and holds it out behind her, palm held upward. She is ready for stabbing and totally does not give a crap if she gets stabbed. Pain is temporary and healable yadda yadda.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut watches the reactions of the people around him, and he supresses a frown. Why is it everywhere he goes, he runs into dragon-fearing xenophobes? The dragon relaxes his stance, lowers his wings, and tries to present the least formidable image he can. He even goes so far as to take a seat and cross his legs. But, his voice is still powerful. Booming even, and full of pride.

     "Today is Victory Day. The day when the great Divines that shaped this world overcame the terrible Primals which wrought chaos and destruction so many eons ago. I come before you today, an envoy from the Council and a peaceful celebrant of this auspicious occassion. These dragoons are my escort, here to enjoy the festivities with you. It is disappointing that there is not more of a celebration to be had. This day should be a monument to pride, peace, and the strength of unity. How is it you citizens have gotten it in your head that rejecting these visitors from another world, who have done NOTHING to wrong you, is the proper thing to do?"

     Despite the strength of his voice, Bahamut continues to display a calm, cool demeanor. He sits still, his eyes closed, his wings folded against his back, and his arms folded in front of him. He opens his eyes just enough to survey the crowd again. "Is this image, the sight of you people assaulting these honorable visitors in front of these dignitaries, the image you wish your children to have of you?"

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
     This goes /for worse/. In a way, Soan can really really appreciate the canny of the ringleaders of this little mob. They ran with the blow so damn hard, that it's almost amazing. He can get behind such manipulationof the crowd. He'll take it down as a note for later, to be able to recognise it in the future.

     Conversations goes mad on the radio. This is a bad situation. He'd never thought he'd hear a dragon being admonished for screwing up like that. That's unheard of. How dare he talk to a dragon like that? Then again, he is not one of the Dragons he knows. This is different.

     Dragoon Man remains posted on top of the pillar he was, relaxing his arms as Bahamut does his improvised speech. This has a low chance of working. Perhaps one in a million, if his calculations are precise. Still, /trying/ to do it is better than making sure than it got worse. He murmurs under his breath, giving information to his friends on various ringleaders that he see leaving, standing still to look shiny, daring and heroic.

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    "We do not trade barbs. That would be unprofessional, and below my station to do such a thing with her," Audrey answers, taking the glare off Kyra to instead turn it upon Mirielle. "That is ridiculous. I will not--"

    Kyra does it.
    GOD DAMNIT.
    "-- be proven inferior."

    Audrey taps the orb atop her left glove, and it mechanically withdraws from her hand into a bracelet, exposing her hand for Mirielle. Grumble grumble what is this damn witchery anyway.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    The hug is received. Ainsley closes her eyes, leaning into the comfort with an eagerness. Kyra would feel the stress lessen in the unhappy reptile, feathers visibly wilting back down to a manageable state. Then she just... lets out a sigh. She gathers up her nerves again, and lets her training kick in. "Okay," she says, in her neutral voice. She's going to just lock up her emotions for the night now.

    "What--" She holds still for Mirielle, the bit of apple scraped off of scale and feather with more ease and safety than skin. She turns her head properly to give the ... witch(???) a proper scrutinizing stare, all at once baffled through the worn face of a sorrow-beaten lizard woman. "You have a plan," she observes, with seeming approval. "That's good."

    She watches Mirielle with measured curiosity, and also caution, because it's better than focusing on the dragon, the crowd, or anything else.

    She's not letting go of Kyra, though. Not until someone else breaks it. Ainsley isn't about to let go of the comfort of a friend right now if she isn't forced to. She might even stubbornly cling to Kyra a bit.

Mirielle Edelweiss (666) has posed:
    Mirielle takes one edge of her knife and brings it across Kyra's palm soon after it's presented, turning the now blooded blade over so the other edge draws across Audrey's revealed palm swiftly, and then holding the blade point down so the two trails of blood can join upon the tip. Then, she pricks her own finger, and there is another quiet surge of darkness around her, before...

    Wow, isn't Dominic great? What a fantastic fencer, and pride of the Alexander Academy's Fencing Team. A Tournament winner! Let's all appreciate him, and not the DARK RITUALS that are being carried out in his name.

    With that done, she smiles around, drawing a cloth to clean off the rotten apple from her knife, and twiddling a little Cure spell into people's palms if they need it. "Well! I'm glad that crisis is over. Now, miss Stormfist! We were talking about...?" She begins, hooking her arm around the KIRIN agent's elbow and simply walking back to her recycling bin, so that Kyra and Audrey don't LIGHT THE AIR ON FIRE BETWEEN THEM. Or... Something.

    "Oh my, a real dragon! What an honor!"

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     Bloodrake's arrival, at this point, can't really make things much worse. The crowd is damn near the edge of frenzy. The professional team has done their job extremely well, and with the arrival of Bahamut, it's basically been done for them. Once a rolling stone starts, you don't need to keep pushing it for it to reach the bottom of the hill, and so on.

     Landon nods at Cassie. "Very well. Do what you can," he tells her. He's currently on the phone, presumably with his father. He nods also at the twin bodyguards who appear, but he's distracted at the moment, since he's trying very hard to...well, prevent this from becoming...dangerous.

     Cassie's careful swaying and Dancer tricks do help calm a large portion of the crowd. Galiandans may be magical, but they have no innate resistance to magic, not even their own. While a few people may notice what the Dancer's doing, most of them are far too concerned with getting away to care.

     Helena vanishes into the crowd. She finds one of the ringleaders immediately. He's a big Shivan man in a big fur hat. He stands out immensely, but amidst the madness, who could tell?

     Dominic's sleepblade starts flashing carefully through the crowd, as well. He happens upon a young-looking Shivan girl with blonde hair, dressed like an Alexander Academy student - but on second glance, too old for the uniform she's wearing, based on her crow's feet. He takes her down as she turns around, and she slumps into the crowd, silenced.

     Kyra calms Ainsley carefully, shielding her with her body. Fortunately, the crowd seems to distracted to notice her or Mirielle's wicked-looking ritual knife.

     Kamon takes down a third ringleader without a moment's hesitation. It's a masterfully-executed strike; no one's the wiser.

     There aren't any Primals on Galianda, but Bahamut's speech gives at least a moment's pause. Who knows what wisdom the Dragon's Council has that the ordinary citizens of Galianda don't, after all? There's a murmur through the crowd, wondering about 'Primals', but as Bahamut reassures them, and with the strikes from Kamon, Dominic, and Helena, with Cassie's Dancer magic, with the presence of the Dragoons lending credence to Bahamut's words, and with, perhaps, just a pinch of shady ritualism, the riot slowly calms. People disperse, and while a few of the instigators may have escaped, no violence came. No one was harmed. No one was hurt.

     Landon al Cid slumps backwards as the Victory Day Music starts up once again, as the sounds of shouts and screams die, and as the world makes sense again.

Grant Mason (667) has posed:
    When the riot started to build, Grant Mason was contacted by his employer. He vanished from the party, to get suited up, but by the time he manages to get his gear on and the non-lethal weapons, the riot was broken. Still, no sense in not having KIRIN stay on alert, just in case.

    Arriving back on scene in full armor, he opts to stay in place anyway. He figured even if he can't shoot some rioters with sleep and stun rounds, at the very least he can show off some of Murasame Zaibatsu's latest armor advancements to the crowd, and perhaps just look intimidating enough to prevent any future thoughts of shenanigans.

Finna (513) has posed:
    "Scuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse meeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Squeaks an awfully high-pitched, cute voice. The high-pitch is a bit forced as is the cute lilty, but it's still well done voice art indeed! And a strange creature about the size of maybe a large cat comes zooming in towards Bahamut from the skies. A white... four-legged... well, it's a fox. MAybe it's a fox. But it has fuzzy white wings.

    And she - yeah, the voice was feminine - talks.

    Some folk may have strong guesses as to who this is. Some people might easily notice the silvery gleam cast off by the creature's tail and ears in the slightest lights of the party, others might see only normal white fur...

    But whatever the case! The creature swoops down out of the skies and... lands on Bahamut's head, using him as a perch to observe the rest of the party.

    The appearance of this random cute thing might do quite a number on making Bahamut seem more comical and less intimidating.

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
As he walks through the crowd subduing people with a rapier in one hand, Dominic takes out his phone with the other and starts up the school's Law Enforcement App.

Welcome to BountApp. The Mognet Quicker Point Picker-Upper.
Username: DMasoch
Password: ********

Welcome back! You are currently competing in: Alexander Academy. Please submit pictures for point evaluation.

Every rioter and ringleader he subdues, he takes a picture of them using his mPhone and very calmly uploads a picture of their face to BountApp. Mostly it's pretty benign in terms of point totals. 30 points here, 22 points there, occasionally he looks down at an instigator, "Aw man, only 7 points? That wasn't even worth the MP. Come on." He scowls.

With the actual threat gone, he's mostly right back to Competitive Bounty Fencing.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako whews softly with relief once the Victory Day music resumes. "Aa~aahh... that was... scary." She puts her witch hat back onto her head and then quickly makes her way over to Landon when he slumps backwards. A pointer finger gently pushes his back where it slumps. "The day's not over yet, though. All the same, I hope you can enjoy it." She giggles softly.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut blinks as something that is small and fuzzy and cute lands on his head. He looks up with just his eyes, then chuckles good-naturedly. He continues to sit in his zen-like posture, not wishing to instigate anything else. "Finna, I believe. How have you been, my furry and unpredictable aquaintance?" the large dragon says as he watches the crowd and listens the the resuming music. He doesn't seem to mind that for now he is little more than a fixture for this celebration. He waits for someone to approach him rather than moving about. If no one does, he is content to sit here until the celebration ends. One thing Bahamut has is patience.

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    Shortly after the cut is drawn across Kyra's hand, a small bit of white magic is drawn forth to close the cut up immediately. The arm returns to hugging Ainsley as Kyra listens intently, gauging the reaction to Bahamut's speech. With relief, she hears the shouting start to quiet and the anti-extraversal rumors quell.

    Ainsley continues to cling to Kyra. She seems wholly okay with this, in fact. "C'mon, Professor, why don't we try some of the snacks they've set out." No mention made for her Courage Chili at least.

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
     Things break down, some troublemakers are found, some are not. Soan will have to go find them later. He know their faces. He know their smell. They wont escape him.

     Still, Dragoon Man remains as he was as an escort to the mighty Dragon called Bahamut, landing down next to the mighty creature with his arms crossed, perfectly immobile beyond his head, scanning hte horizon and the slowly regathering crowd.

     He slooowly look upward at the furry creature landing on Bahamut's head. He recognise that voice. His glowing eyes narrows a little, mostly in confusion.

     By the Skies above the Sky, this is undignified.

Souji Murasame (627) has posed:
And so it was that a dangerous situation was defused by the collective efforts of the Union and the Light Warriors.

Souji observes, still on the deck. "Fascinating." He comments once more, then flicks his gaze in the general direction of where he knows Celba must be. She will get him the information he needs.

This will bear further investigation. But for now... Now there is simply the ongoing celebration.

Audrey Stormfist (652) has posed:
    Crisis averted.
    She's not sure the ritual had anything to do whatsoever but at this point questioning it is just going to waste time. Andrey applies a standard-issue KIRIN first aid patch onto her wound and slaps the gauntlet back on. Dragged away from Kyra, it's probably for the best.

    Though once they come to a stop again she shakes her head. "Homework and clandestine pushing. My apologies, but I need to go collect reports from those stationed here regarding this incident. Have a good day, Edelweiss." And Dominic too, if he's come back as well.

    Audrey excuses herself, disappearing in the crowds to basically do exactly what she said she would.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
Cassie basically disappears from the party. She reappears a few minutes later right inbetween Fuu and Sei, brushing the veil down back onto her head. "Thank you." She says. The Shadow Twins nod and then /they/ both disappear. She glances up at the judge-guard phalanx surrounding Landon, waiting patiently for them to seperate a little.

"Are you okay?" She asks Landon, softly.

Finna (513) has posed:
    "Oh, it's been a fun enough week! Nothing's exploded!" Finna singsongs, only to whisper moments later, "<A thing you need to work on maintaining!>"

Dominic Masoch (655) has posed:
Part of Dominic wants to return to socializing, but the other is in business mode. It's not hard to tell why he's regarded so highly among the Fencers, considering the cool and calm demeanor that he's using in cleanup. At the end of it, he flicks his blade and then sheaths it.

For this incident, he's handing off the riot starting Shivans to local law enforcerment. REAL Fencers and Knights with licenses for this. He watches to make sure that the last of them get handled before he slumps with his back to the wall and exhales a massive sigh of relief.

"What a day. Man I'm frayed." He mutters to himself. Audrey gets a wave as she leaves, but he's not quite moving to rejoin Mirielle yet.

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     Landon pauses in front of Bahamut and Finna. He looks from the fuzzy creature - whose voice he remembers from the trials. He looks up at Bahamut and offers him a wan, distant smile. "Thank you. I'm glad that we were able to avert what might have been a very dangerous scenario. I apologize for asking you to lie, but I'm pleased that you were willing to on our behalf."

     He looks over his shoulder at Cassandra. "Yes, I'm quite alright. Thank you for your assistance, Lady Dolet."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut looks down at Dragoon Man, then out at the crowd again. "An entire week without an explosion? How boring." he says with a chuckle. Finna's second comment makes the dragon rumble in annoyance. When Landon approaches, Bahamut meets him with a respectful bow. "Prince Landon, I believe? I apologize for my entrance. Mr. Hall is right. It is reckless of me to make such entrances on unknown worlds. It is entirely reasonable to assume they are under attack. Entirely annoying, but entirely reasonable."

     The large dragon holds a hand out to Landon. "I will not give my name, as you have requested, and while deception does not sit well with me, it is preferable to causing bloodshed simply because I chose a terrible moment to make my appearance. It is something for which I have gained an unfortunate reputation. But, it is difficult to restrain my awesome nature."

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena moves, quietly, slowly stalking through the crowd...it is easy for her, she was trained with a more urban mindset in mind...she slowly gets close because there are people crowding around, it makes it easier to make a touch with contact poision...not actual poison, but something to actually make him feel disoriented, sleepy Even.

    Helena backs off, waiting to see how things go and to feign helping him when things go...south for him.

    Eventually she moves to drag him off, placing him down softly, for someone in RAIDEN to pick up to carry off for...questioning!

    Helena, with a whistling tune to the beat of the music, walks back towards the celebraition!

Kamon Lionward (628) has posed:
Kamon finds the local law enforcement types on the fringes and passes the ringleader that Drag-- er, /he/ identified. Well, he certainly incapacitated her, anyway. He exchanges a few words with the man, shakes hands once he can free one, and then goes to the actual festivities. Mostly.

He finally gets past the unwashed masses and moseys on over to the people he knows. Kamon leans around the stack of stuff, eyeing Bahamut and then nodding at Landon. "Hey. Crazy day, huh?"

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
     When Bahamut looks down, Dragoon Man looks up. He gives a brief shurg. "I shall patrol." He declares, simply, with Bloodrake still there and glaring at anybody and anything that comes close, well, the Dragon is in good hands.

     Effortlessly, he leaps up in the skies, shaking the ground briefly as he leaps away into the city. Besides, there is some other ringleaders to find before this is over! He's not worried about that. He know their smell, their face. They wont hide for long.

     Instead, Soan Sagittarius comes out of another alley on the other side Dragoon Man went off, dusting himself off. His cologne is gone.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
Fuu and Sei exchange glances, and Cassie looks back at them. "Look, I'm hanging out with the prince, I'll be /fine/. He's got more bodyguards than I do." Beat. "Well, okay, yes, I only have the two of you but I know my father..." Beat. "Oh shut up."

The two ninjas shrug. They didn't even say anything.

She leans against the wall. "Let me know when you want that dance, Landon." She says, grinning at his continual habit of accidentally getting swamped in girls.

Landon al Cid (642) has posed:
     Landon offers the large dragon a wan smile. "Believe me, Sir, when I say that deception sits poorly in my heart as well. Were there any other way to avoid the danger that lurked under this crowd, I would have taken it in an instant. Perhaps at a later date, they'll be ready to accept such ideas, when the political situation is less...dangerous."

     "That's a word for it, yes," Landon agrees with Kamon as he arrives. He heaves a sigh. "I've never heard my father so worried in my life. When I told him what was going on, he was already preparing the Ramuhan military forces for a counter-attack. We're lucky everything went the way it did. All it would've taken is a few mogTube videos for them to have casus belli..."

     Landon rubs his fingers on his face and sighs. He smiles at Cassandra. "At this point, Lady Dolet, I should like nothing better. Please excuse me, Sir Dragon, Kamon. I'm going to...attempt to relax."

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena finally arrives back at the party, arms stretching out as she cracks her back a bit...

    And there is a familar face!

    Helena moves to intercept a Finna! "Hey!" she says, all cheerful! "When did YOU get here?"

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako hmms softly to herself. Her amber gaze turns towards the ground for a while. Should she leave so she doesn't cause any more of a commotion? Then again... she is sort of already a nurse in the academy! Maybe... yeah, that would probably be a good idea. She walks quietly out of sight and then crouches, pulling her witch hat down to hide her body. When she stands back up, she's dressed in the Alexander Academy uniform.

    She takes her witch hat off and stuffs it into her little star-shaped purse and walks back over to the party. Ayako stands out much less now, compared to her witch outfit! And then looks up at Bahamut. "Well... at least that went well-uhh..." She has spotted Finna. "...Finna? What are you doing?"

Finna (513) has posed:
    Finna pats Bahamut on the head with a paw, then... sliiiiiiiides down, spreads her wings, and hops atop HELENA'S HEAD INSTEAD, only to chirp-noise over at Ayako in greeting.

    In moments the little winged-fox thing's sliding down Helena's back. But human feet hit the ground rather than paws, with Finna rising in her human form back-to-back with Helena, a hand on her hips and tail...

    ... Her tail seeks out any exposed flesh of Helena's and starts BUSHY-TICKLING as subtly as can be managed.

    "Heyyyyyyyylo, Ayako!~"

Kyra Hyral (626) has posed:
    "C'mon Ainsley." Kyra finally tries to unwind from the lizard woman. "I want to go introduce you to some more of my friends." Grinning, she leads Ainsley away, taking advantage of the calmed situation and Helena's distraction to escape the view of the other girl to somewhere hopefully a lot more "safer."

    She joins Kamon just as Cassandra leads Landon away to dance. She watches the two leaave then grins to the Odynar. "Hi Kamon." she says, "You're looking nice tonight. Um! This is Ainsley."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut nods in understanding as Landon speaks to him. "I wish you luck in your relaxation attempts. I am sure the company of a lovely lady will help in that regard." the dragon says, then allows Landon and Cassie to go about their business. Finna pats him, causing Bahamut to chuckle again. He continues to sit where he is, but he does take a moment to ask, "What does a dragon have to do to get a drink in this place?" Then he grins before addressing kamon and the others. "Greetings. I am he who shall remain nameless. And you are?" he says to Kamon, Ainsley, Kyra, and whoever else happens to be nearby.

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena is surprised tickled?!

    This gets a mischevious giggle from her, and quickly she turns around, aiming to poke at the Foxy lady's sides from two directions.

    "Well SOMEONE is apparently more mischevious than me tonight!" She grins.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    Ainsley is led along by Kyra, which is easy enough to do, the teaching lizard wiggling her tail behind her in tune to her gait. She has a general neutrality about her, like the whole chaotic mess that almost got worse made her shut off her emotional responses. She can't even muster up a smile for Kamon.

    She just looks at him blankly and gives him a soft, mildly hoarse, "Hello."

Finna (513) has posed:
    "A-acky!" Finna squirms away from the sudden poke, whilring... about to face Helena. "Hmph! When am I not?" She ends up grinning in a borderline feral sort of way...

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena grins, there is a similar grin in her own lips. "True true!" She laughs.

    "So did you come with our Dragon guy here? I mean, I love the chaos it brought, but I was pretty sure someone was going to fire a shot."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako smiles softly and wanders around the city, visiting the booths and doing her best to blend in with the humes. And she's actually very good at that! Although she doesn't actually get anything to eat or eat anything!

Finna (513) has posed:
    "Oh, him? He's big and impressive, but the huge bod's all muscle - he's not stuffed enough common sense in there. I tried to defuse things, buuuuut... looks like I'm a little late?" Finna shrugs in an 'oh well' gesture.

Bahamut has posed:
     "She came here on her own, but her timing was quite helpful, I think." Bahamut says as Helena asks Finna about her arrival. "It is somewhat disheartening to find so many worlds where dragons are feared." he adds, then laughs at Finna's comment about him. "Yes, I suppose my common sense is a bit lacking. But, you must understand, where I am from, when I land there are cheers, not screams."

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena looks blanked faced at Bahamut.

    "Well, I wouldn't say feared, it's a omen...also, seriously, a large lizard that breathes fire comes down and people DON'T get afraid? That's crazy." Helena rolls his eyes, and gives Finna a 'is this guy serious' look.

Soan Sagittarius (633) has posed:
"It's not quite that they are feared, like Helena says." Soan Sagittarius, who made his way through the crowd to meet up with this particular slice of the party, holding up a nice sandwich in his hand. Theses fancy little sandwiches that has no crusts. What's wrong with the crust? Honestly! "Dragons are unknown and distant in Galianda. A Dragon Showing up, is... well, tremendous portents."

Finna (513) has posed:
    Finna ends up shruggin her shoulders. It's no mere shrug but a leany gesture that somehow involves her whole balance, and body... ears flattening out. The message is clear, 'don't ask me, he's craaaaaazy!'

    But she looks over her shoulder next, showing none of this to Bahamut! And answers him. "Sure, sure... but you've gotta stop sulking about it. You're -here- now, not there. Soooo better learn to adapt, big guy!" Her tone's just soft enough to be friendly and caring while simultaneously conveying a little annoyance...

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut listens to the advice of those around him, then rumbles in discontent. "What is it that people here believe a dragon heralds? The end of days, perhaps?" he says, a bit annoyed himself. "I can adapt, but I cannot lessen the effect of my appearance. Even if I landed gently, it would make little difference if they are already predisposed to fearing dragons or what they represent." He rumbles, then rolls his shoulders before standing slowly. "I suppose dancing is unlikely?" he says with a chuckle.

Helena Celba (643) has posed:
    Helena places a hand on her ear.. "Well, you could paint yourself in rainbow colors, then people would be too busy gawking to be afraid of you. Top it with a rainbow wig!" Helena giggles. "But Alas...I am called to work." She grins and waves towards Finna, "I'll get back with you later...if you stick in town, I can show you some CHOICE ameneties of my adopted home!" Somehow, you don't think it's JUST the Jacuzi.

Cassandra Dolet (671) has posed:
Cassie grins at Kamon and Bahamut, before she gets very friendly with Landon, grabbing his hand and pulling him onto the dance floor. Listen and learn, it is time for dancing, now it is time, for caramelldansen. Actually, it's Landon. They'll start with a waltz and move to a samba.

Finna (513) has posed:
    "I told you already, approach is everything! Disposition also counts! You come stomping in with your arms folded and a devil may care attitude, nooooobody's gonna think well of you. Lower your voice, be friendly and casual or even polite, bring a gift, or at the least -announce yourself LONG before you arrive...-" Finna waves an arm probably ineffectually at Bahamut... and is quickly distracted by Helena's sudden MYSTERIOUS PROPOSITION.

    Mischief gleams in the northerner's ears, her ears perk... "Amenities? Could be fun, could be fun..."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut hmphs, folding his arms in just the way he was advised against. "I am always friendly and casual and polite. But, I suppose I could announce myself before arrival and work on a less intimidating landing." he says. With the crowd calmed down, he feels it is safe enough to start wandering the party area, looking over drinks and food. "What would you suggest for refreshments, Finna?"