'cause i don't know how to make a feeling stop

[Ember]

You look just as lovely in normal clothes as you do in dresses and...what were those things called again? Corsets. Yes, those. Hm. It wasn't the only reason Nephele was irritable despite attending a gather, the green knew. She just didn't know how to approach the other subject yet. The green, hidden a good ways away from the Gather, fluttered her wings. She didn't much like Hers being so far away in decidedly dangerous territory. Nephele wasn't in her Gather best for more than the reason she didn't have any Gather wear at Burimyu. She was also trying not to stand out too much.

If there was one thing to be happy about regarding what she was wearing, it was the sturdy and comfortable boots she was wearing. It made the trip from Nuoth to the actual Hold far more comfortable than wearing fancy shoes. Nephele sighed as she passed by stalls without really looking. There would be plenty of time for that later. The movement of her green firelizard disturbed Nephele's thoughts. Usually Sweetheart was rather unnoticeable and wouldn't have gotten attention from moving had she been perched on the girl's shoulder like her bronze firelizard was. Being in her hair, however, was a different story.

The usually dependant green going off on her own was an odd occurence and meant..."Oh crap!" As the green glided down to the ground and proceeded to start hopping towards the food stalls the rider hesitated for a moment before giving chase. The food stalls had sweets and the green...guh. It was a disaster in the making if she didn't stop her. Mother's tail around her neck tightened briefly - silent reassurance, no matter how threatening the action could be - before uncurling himself and gliding after the wayward green. Charming was the green's sire and Ellie the mother, but Mother had taken on an equally familial role with her. Nephele called him the surrogate mother but the bronze tended to consider himself more her brother.

Charming was already Faranth knows where...sheesh. She loved the critters to death but sometimes they were more work than they were worth. She didn't end up catching up with her green before she bumped into someone. "Oi watch where you're...it's you!" Nephele's eyes widened as she looked at the familair person she'd just bumped into. She was decidedly unsure what to do from there. She hadn't really expected to run into anyone she knew. She'd been planning on avoiding any non-Burimyu folks completely, actually. Easier not to tease herself with something she couldn't have - the pleasure of the company of someone she held very, very dear.

((Long title is long and won't let me tag it. This is a K'sel/Lena/Neph thread.))

[Lotty]

He had his dark brown eyes greedily taking in the sight of his first wine in months. It was quite the emotional and even physical struggle to decide between this and food - real food mind you, not tubers he had boiled in his hat or questionably cooked meat - but ultimately logic lost and he gave in to temptation. No wonder he hadn't a clue he was about to collide with the familiar, all attention was put on his crystalline glass of life blood from which had abstained all those days and nights in the Southern desert. The caravan provided cheap substitutes on occasion, sure, but nothing tasted better than delicate and refined red vintage when you were very visibly below such classy sort of refreshments. It was a bit of that trademark humor that he had been so famous for once upon the time: the man was whipping out the irony, and oh how he had missed it.

Not that he hadn't given his best shot at gather finery, it was just that he had such shallow means to begin with. Nice looking meant that he had bathed, and found a clean paisley shirt of subtle design that probably never fit him to begin with, but definitely didn't now after a little thing called starvation. His hair couldn't be bothered to be actually cut, though a few straggly ends were taken care of and then there was the case of the beard - evidence of it's existence was most definitely there, but with sketchy looking utensils he couldn't get all too close with the cut unless he wanted to take his face right off with it.

Bringing the glass up to his face, his world was suddenly shaken and a splash of the drink flipped up into his face, "Oy!"

It was logical, immediate response one can expect when bumped into, if anything a little subdued considering the partial loss of his beloved wine, but caution was the name of the game when intermingling with.. the others, and at Hyphen no less. K'sel didn't spin around exactly - well not at first - but his head did twist over his shoulder to catch an eye full of... oh no. Yes, that was her new code name: Oh No, and in his brain he was scrambling to find a way out of this, "It's you? Who is you? I'm not sure that I am the you, you think that I am, because I for one am not sure that I know you..." He put his hand up defensively and played ignorant as best as he could, stepping back slowly and - of course - slamming what was left of his drink before that was lost too.

[Rei]

Bouncing. Yes Erilena was bouncing as she half skipped through the crowd. She was ridiculously happy and determined to enjoy herself. Had to separate from Dmitri, at least briefly, so she could talk to the weaver about a dress she wanted custom made. Wanted it to be a surprise. The current one the greenrider was wearing had been a gift from him. Her favorite color and a perfect fit. Not like she had felt she deserved it at the time but Erilena had to admit she loved it. Especially because of how it fit. Had to agree with him on that one. She looked stunning. Which admitting it to herself made her sound a bit conceited really. But was it wrong to look at yourself and feel beautiful for once? The greenrider didn’t think so. Her hair was left loose and with only a large white flower stuck behind her ear as decoration. She had also decided to forgo any face paint simply because she didn’t really have any. At any rate she was oblivious enough to ignore appreciative glances but it seemed not so oblivious to familiar voices.

"It's you? Who is you? I'm not sure that I am the you, you think that I am, because I for one am not sure that I know you..." It wasn’t the words that made Erilena stop dead in her tracks. No. It was the voice. She knew that voice. Wide eyes finally found the source and she just barely resisted the urge to squeal. Instead she called out his name. “K’sel!” That was the only warning the brownrider got before she literally ran and flung herself at him, arms wrapping around his midsection as she squeezed him tightly. It was obvious it was him even if he did look scruffy and worn and oh…he was far, far too thin. Despite her best efforts to keep a handle on herself, after the initial shock started to wear off, the greenrider found herself tearing up.
“Where have you been? How did you…you haven’t been eating well. Damn it Marina thinks you’re probably dead. How could you…” But a soft familiar croon and a flash of bronze had Erilena trailing off and half turning her head only to realize that K’sel wasn’t the only one standing there. Nephele. That...it really was…

This time she didn’t bother to fight the urge to squeal. Letting go of K’sel she practically glomped her friend. “Nephy? Oh Nephy. I thought you…I didn’t think I’d ever see you again….Are you okay?” Trembling slightly she tightened her grip on the other greenrider as if she was afraid that if she let her go Nephele would disappear again. Suddenly the greenrider was very glad she had foregone looking for any make up. It would have been ruined anyway considering she was now crying. Perhaps she should have made a little less of a scene though. Some people where starting to stare. Not that she noticed. Nope not at all. Erilena was busy trying to sort out her shock amongst other emotions. Was this really happening? Perhaps she was dreaming? Although probably not Nephele felt too real.

The greenrider was…happy, upset, and really confused all rolled into one. But even so she pushed those feelings aside so she could pull slightly away from Nephele and offer her friend a genuine smile. At the same time Erilena reached a hand out to K'sel in a silent bid for him to stay as well. "Should we find somewhere to sit?" There was so much going on her head she needed time to sort it out.

[Ember]

It was too good to be true. Literally. She hated the way he did that. Tease her with his presence and then leave her with nothing. Nephele granted that he probably didn't know her true feelings. Heck, she wasn't even sure if she could call it "love." In fact, she was certain that at least half the time she hated his guts. The other half...well, whatever. It didn't matter if that was the game he was going to play this time. Nephele's eyes initially narrowed dangerously before she slipped on a mask. She didn't use them with K'sel often. Once someone saw under them they tended to lose their effect.

"It seems you're right, I do-" She was cut off by someone familiar yelling the name of the man she'd crossed paths with. You'll have to excuse her for letting her mask crumble so quickly after putting it on. As she watched Erilena glomp and fuss over her adopted brother, Nephele's eyes widened and actually got a little watery. She didn't outright cry (the woman saw no point to tears anymore) but there was undeniable emotional depth in her eyes as Erilena turned to her with a squeal and a hug.

It took Nephele a moment to return the glomp. For one irrational moment she felt like hugging back would break the illusion and she'd lose them both just like that. Wasn't that why she hadn't wanted to actually run into anyone she cared about? Then she was returning the hug for all she could. "Lena," she muttered, voice oddly choked in her throat. She tried again after a moment, "Lena. I'm okay. Shh, shh." She didn't know who she was comforting more, herself or Erilena. It didn't really matter though, as long as they all stopped making such a scene.

Anger, happiness, and wariness warred with each other before wariness one and the greenrider ducked her head. So much for not attracting attention. She just had to hope they didn't attract the wrong attention just now. She smiled back at her friend before replying. "Please. You wouldn't believe how far I had to walk to get here." It was a shame that Nuoth was probably out of range of Feyrianth for safety's sake. She knew the green would have loved to talk to her friend.

[Lotty]

Hahaha. He laughed a little bit on the inside knowing that Nephele was a transformer, a mighty morphin' shape shifter. With all of her subtle twists of the face he knew.. he just knew she had the gears moving up in the brain, and although he wasn't a mind reader by any means, the brownrider felt as if he could see right through some of her deceptive devices. In her defense, it was a little hard to put up a good veneer around the ever perceptive K'sel. Especially when he had the better part of four turns to pick up a thing or two. Of course, any moment of humor was sort lived when her voice started again, striking a sour note and nearly sending him into a mopey spell before...

He was brutally and mercilessly attacked by the most vicious force on the face of Pern: a hysterical Erilena. It was completely brutal, there was hugging and tear stains developing on his shirt, and oddly enough he didn't mind one bit. Attention was nice to have, even if it was oh so temporary. As soon as she had let go and jumped to Nephele he couldn't deny a bit of awkwardness as he stood there, feeling every bit like a third wheel. The best friends were having a reunion and he hadn't even the wherewithal to give Eri a decent reply before he was standing there lost with his eyes glancing vaguely at the ground. Never before - not even on the day they evacuated Selenitas - did he have such a loss for what to do, and with the greenrider crying running away seemed harsh even from him.

Endure the misery, it was just another day to prepare you for the next. Remember, tomorrow is always worse.

The offered hand was caught out of the corner of his eye, but it was ignored in favor of linking his entire arm with hers, "I suppose we shall sit," he really mumbled it to himself before adding, "since it turns out that we have established that I am the you, you had expected me to be..." it was some kind of humor, a respite from the awkwardness that was building up inside, and used to help draw his feet forward to a table. It was not an easy task to pin the man down like this after having been on the move for the past seven months, but hey, mission accomplished? At very least he worked to block out the prying mind of one Pettahth. Oh he'd been in a world of trouble if the brown knew who all he was speaking with.

Or not speaking with. Other than his rather placid rumblings, he was remarkably quiet looking all the more like a spectator than a participant as he pulled up a seat and slouched into position. Mojo flittered round his head before lighting up his shoulder and his hand took to cradling his cheek, as he waited for the birth of polite conversation, even though it occurred to him that he was legitimately at a loss of words.

[Rei]

It was them. It was. Not a dream. Nephele’s attempt at comfort caused Erilena to take in a few deep breaths. Okay they were here. They weren’t going anywhere. At least not for the moment. Rubbing briefly at her eyes with her forearm she opened her mouth to speak to her fellow greenrider and instead fell silent when K’sel linked arms with her. Turning her head she gave the brownrider a bright smile her eyes still watering. In all honesty Erilena had almost made peace with the fact that she may never see either of them again. To find them here was….really completely unexpected. Especially considering she hadn’t known if either of them was still really alive. Oh it was nice to have hope and all that but not knowing was terrible. Most definitely terrible.

Feyrianth’s curious presence pressing on the greenrider’s mind was hard to fight. Especially since the dragon was so connected to Erilena's emotions normally. When they were elevated it only got worse. It was hard to just explain this one away though and her excuses to the green sounded lame even to the rider herself. Finally the woman just promised to explain fully later. Surprisingly Feyrainth didn't fight her on it. Hmm.

As Erilena allowed K’sel to lead her she reached out and snagged Nephele’s hand giving it a squeeze. Neither of them were escaping. Not right now. Maybe not ever. Okay, yes she knew it was probably not possible for them to stay but…for now she would try and forget that fact. Slipping into a chair she smiled softly at first Nephele her gaze going to K’sel a few minutes later. It was almost surreal in a way to have them both sitting beside her again. “I’m sorry you had to walk so far Nephy. I guess that rules out dragon reunions. Which I guess is probably a good thing for now. I doubt Feyrianth would let them leave again without throwing a major fit, and she isn’t one to normally throw fits.” Wrinkling her nose the greenrider’s gaze then traveled to Mojo as the bronze flit alighted on K’sel’s shoulder. With a smile she reached out towards the firelizard and gave a soft croon. Did he remember her? “Mojo~ I missed you.” Leaving her hand outstretched she gave a sad shake of her head. “I missed all of you. Where have you all been? Are you doing alright?” It was an honest question. Even if the answers might not be simple or easy, Erilena still wanted to know.

Surely if they were able to come back they would have done so already. So did they live in the new weyr that Elysia supposedly lived in as well? Or were they somewhere else? And why wouldn’t they look at each other? Erilena nibbled on her bottom lip. Had she missed something? Did they have to still act so silly towards each other even now? The greenrider’s gaze went from one of her friends to the other and she slowly raised an eyebrow. With a soft sigh she broke the tension with a simple statement. “I don’t know what happened before I got here. But I think you two should hold hands. Or kiss and make up. Anything but the silence.” Well at least she was voicing an honest opinion, which was better than the two statues to her right and left. Trust Erilena to be the first to act as if seven months of separation never happened.

[Ember]

Nephele let the two guide her to a seat while she checked the crowds. How exactly was she supposed to deem anyone safe? She'd just have to keep up her guard, she supposed. Once she was seated, Nephele smiled weakly at Erilena. "Don't be sorry. I got to see you because I walked so far, so it all works out in the end. I'm just sorry Nuoth can't see Feyrianth...or Pettahth again," she said, admitting that her green, at least, missed easy access to the brownpair as well as the other greenpair.

When Erilena turned her attention to K'sel's firelizard, the greenrider's eyes widened in alarm. Oh shit. She'd been on her way to intercept Sweetheart when she'd bumped into K'sel...She silently rested her forehead in her hand for moment. She really didn't want to have to tend to a sick firelizard at a Gather. Placing her trust in Mother to keep her green firelizard in line, Nephele shrugged. She wished she didn't have to say anything in front of K'sel but she had matured some in the past months and she could deal with it. Besides, a small part of her didn't mind him knowing. "I can't say where I've been, but I've been alright. Been better, but alright."

Nephele left it at that. If asked in more detail she'd answer what she could. Besides, if she started explaining what she'd been up to since she left Selenitas Weyr, K'sel would be waiting a long time to answer Erilena. After his answer, the tension had clearly built up to a level that was easily noticed by their companion. Nephele shook her head at her friend's words, laughing quietly. "Straight to the point, huh?" The greenrider hazarded a glance at K'sel before her smile morphed into a smirk. "I'll pass on any of that stuff. We've always done more arguing than talking. For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I was being immature."

The admission was as much a show of her growing maturity as it was to see K'sel's reaction. She didn't recall a single conversation that ended up with either of them apologizing or not playing some sort of game with each other. Despite her seemingly calm facade, her inner nervousness managed to summong back all three of her firelizards at once. The bronze and green landing on her shoulders (the latter proceeding to bury herself in her hair again) while Charming landed on the table in front of Erilena. Yo!

[Lotty]

Likewise, K'sel had to keep his answers rather vague, a result of being something of a hobo ninja, but that didn't mean that he couldn't inject a little bit of his personality into his part, and with a cheeky grin he told the greenriders a quick outline of his latest adventures, "Oh, I'm ok all things considered. I've been...lots of places. Places I don't think people are supposed to live really," would it be cruel to tell the two of them that he rather liked it? He figured it would, or even if it didn't so much as phase Nephele, it would still bruise his adopted sister to tell her that he enjoyed the freedom, and really didn't know if he could go back to living the Weyrlife anytime soon. There were things he missed like real food and baths, and he truly wished that the wanderlust wasn't one so shrouded in secrets for Pettahth's sake at least, but this was the life he had always spoken of. He was finally practicing what he had preached.

"I can't wait to get a haircut," was what he settled on, and ran his hand over the wavy lengths to his shoulders, "otherwise I should start catching up to you Eri..." and left it at that. It was a token of hope, the words suggesting that they'd all be reunited soon despite the cynical nagging in his heart that said they would not. He was humoring himself really with the admission, "I never imagined that I would ever say that in my life," Mojo agreed with a quip, an image of the surly man who had nearly fought tooth and nail with Erilena to keep his beard. Yes, cleaning up wasn't a normal thing for him to do was it? The bronze arched his neck to nuzzle his snout against the outstretched hand. Of course he remembered the girl just as he remembered everyone His thought about a lot.

But K'sel broke up the fawning rider and the firelizard so that he could selfishly get in a pat of his own. It would have been a duty rendered to Fracas had she not been lost in the initial escape and as for Eyesore, he was always too stubborn to take such kinds of contact. The blue would just as likely snip at him to show true love, but right now the brownrider definitely needed some kind of release. Especially now since the awkwardness had been brought up and he was left feeling distinctly exposed. How did one fight without even the lightest of armor? Was he expected to give up? Was this all a giant trick? He fought his own desires and let his sights wander over to Nephele as if he was reading what she was saying as opposed to listening; there was never an expression the woman made that he couldn't help but second guess. He'd give her the benefit of the doubt though, he needed to by himself some serenity for the next six month streak.

"Don't worry about it...what's done is done right?" he wasn't sure exactly what she was apologizing for, so it was rather hard to forgive her, and it was doubly hard to admit his own guilt for that matter, but he had hoped that what he said would suffice... if not, well then he was going to bribe them into liking him. He set the palm of his hand down on the table with resolve, "Now... I don't have a lot to my name, but I have enough to buy us all a drink..." he began to rise out of his chair before anyone could argue with him and faintly set a hand on each of the ladies backs, "tell me what you want and I'll be right back..." because in his head they would all just laugh, laugh, laugh everything off.

[Rei]

Erilena listened to both their answers with a quiet smile. One she didn’t really completely feel but was keeping for their sakes. It was nice to see that they were both alive and at least well if not truly happy. But then again was anyone ever really truly happy with everything in their life? Maybe not. One thing was for sure though they were both here for the moment and the greenrider was planning to enjoy the visit, however brief it ended up being. “Sounds like you’ve both been quite busy in the seven months since I’ve last seen you.” She offered quietly, smiling as Mojo nuzzled at her hand. “You could use a haircut K’sel and you also need to gain a few pounds. I’m not used to you looking bony.”

Wrinkling her nose in a gesture of mock annoyance, as Mojo was pulled away, Erilena laughed and patted K’sel on the head like she might her feline. “Guess I shouldn’t nag you so much considering I haven’t seen you in forever. But start trying to eat more.” The comment was voiced entirely because she was worried and if she didn’t nag at least a little she’d regret it. To Nephele she gave a soft smile. “Well wherever you are you do look good.” Maybe not exactly happy but good. The greenrider knew her friend wasn’t always the open sort. Which meant she was probably lonely. Which just made Erilena want to hug Nephele and tell her that one day it would all be okay and they’d all be together again. Only she knew she couldn’t because she didn’t know whether or not that was true.

Nephele’s soft laugh however caused Erilena to smile as she leaned back slightly in her chair and gave a nod. “Mhm straight to the point is better. I don’t know why you two have to fight. I’m going to chalk it up to having to make up for all the teasing you guys missed out on while you were apart.” Flicking her gaze from the brownrider back to the other greenrider she smiled brightly at both of them and fell silent as her fellow greenrider spoke first. Nephele apologizing was actually really quite surprising and more surprising still K’sel accepted the apology without question. It was…actually kind of odd. The woman had been expecting to have to play mediator between them and defuse the situation like she always tried to do. Suddenly Erilena found herself lacking a job. Hmm. Well didn’t that beat all. It was almost suspicious in a way really. Maybe they realized finally that the fighting was silly and all because they couldn’t be normal people and just kiss? Really if they just translated all that tension into other actions they’d both probably be a lot happier. Not that the greenrider was going to voice that currently and ruin this temporary truce.

Nope instead she crooned softly to the brown firelizard that had landed in from of her. “Hello Charming. Been too long since I’ve seen you. Come to get your share of the attention?” Rubbing briefly at the firelizard’s eye ridges she blinked as K’sel’s palm met the table. His offer was met with a smile regardless. Oh Erilena wanted to argue. Kind of badly really. Her adoptive brother obviously didn’t have the marks to waste spending them on her but….she didn’t argue. Solely because part of her also realized that K’sel was a guy and guys always felt as if they had to do things like this. Didn’t want to wound his pride and besides a drink did sound good. Tilting her head back to catch the brown rider’s gaze she gave him a bright smile. “They have spiced cider that I like. That’s fine for me.” Nothing alcoholic, unfortunately Erilena had almost zero tolerance for it. Not that they all didn’t know that already. Reaching her hand back she gently touched K’sel’s hand.

“Thank you. And just so you know if you don’t come back I swear I’ll hunt you down.” The words were light and playful, even if the woman really meant them. Neither of them were allowed to leave until she was ready for them to go. Stubborn Erilena was stubborn.

[Ember]

Nephele made a slightly disdainful sound, though she was good enough to keep it quiet enough that it probably wasn't heard. Places people shouldn't be living, huh? Last she'd seen K'sel was near the desert. As far as places for living went, the desert definitely counted as a place people shouldn't. Did that mean she'd run the risk of running into him whenever Nuoth had to Fly? That would be...stressful, she decided. For both her and the green. It would hurt the green, but Nephele rather hoped Pettahth had lost any interest in Nuoth.

The mention of K'sel getting a hair cut was met with a faint smile that she hid behind a hand discreetly. His hair was longer than hers...though hers had grown a bit too. Usually she kept it an inch or so longer than her chin but it had grown to be almost touching her shoulders. Granted, not much longer than her norm. Then the conversation had switched to her again and she let a smal lgrin be shown for her friend. "Better than I expected when I left," she admitted, more for Erilena's sake than any desire to say anything. "We manage our food by hunting...and stealing. Those tithe thefts? That was us." Her voice had dropped lower, conspiratorily, and her grin took on a decidedly rogueish appearance.

The apology was accepted and the truce was established. Nephele wanted to heave a sigh of...well she wasn't sure if it was of relief or disappointment. Familiar territory was now thoroughly gone. Tch. She nodded slightly in agreement to his - probably rhetorical - question. Her gaze drifted to Charming as he soaked up Erilena's attention. Why yes, he did come to get his (considerable) share of attention! He chirped that confirmation at the other greenrider, rubbing against her hand in what counted as a flirtatious way.

The offer of a drink was met with a wry, "Why not? I wouldn't mind a glass of wine - not picky about what kind - but if that's not possible some jasmine tea." Nephele was fully aware that she'd probably shocked the both of them. That may even have been her ulterior motive. She didn't mean to rub the fact that she'd changed without Erilena in the other woman's face but she most certainly intended to do so to K'sel. She may have apologized but she hadn't necessarily forgiven him. Why forgive when one could get even subtley?

[Lotty]

Surprised? Maybe he should have been, but she had accepted his offers of wine in past gathers, so he didn't see why it would be any different now. If anything it was terribly predictable. Erilena of course would go with something safe, Nephele would pick the opposite, and that left K'sel feeling like he should get himself some klah to be doubly defiant. Which in itself would also be predictable. A paradox... he could be predictably unpredictable, and because of this he figured the best route would be to just go ahead and continue to work himself drunk. He deserved it, and honestly it was the only thing that was going to get him somewhere past this weird and unusual state of awkward he had found himself in. It was gross, this feeling, and he needed to cleanse himself in the purifying power of the deep red sacrament.

Smiling softly, with that damned boyish charm and those dimples punctuating a certain mischievous streak he repeated the order like a servant should, "Spiced cider and wine it is then..." whichever wine he wanted to drink that is, though there wasn't much of a choice. Benden was the only product they had, total extortion as far as he was concerned since Tillek was cheaper and got him to a good level just as fast, but that was neither here nor there. He had some fetching to attend to and he gave a good natured squeeze to the girls' shoulders and left Mojo behind to take up his spot in lieu of a promise to return.

The problem with the separation from the pair, however brief, was that instead of a breath of air, he had time to think and wallow, to drown really, and be reminded about how much he hated this gather, how much he hated everything from the sharding people to the wares, and most especially the theme. Romance. Threads of destiny. Lovers tying red threads around their ankles and wrists, bound by a stupid tall tale of invisible, inseparable, imaginary links. His smile sunk to a frown at the thought, taking a place in line behind a couple branded by these very overpriced strings. Yeah, it was all a very fun little concept now wasn't it? Except he'd never get to indulge in their whimsy, or lie to himself about love. He'd at very least like to be in on the lie once...

Having been served his order and hands full, he trekked back. A pair of glasses in one hand, a cup of cider in another, a bottle of the Benden red resting in the crook of an arm it took a series of adjustments before he could spread out their beverages onto the table. Hiding his curiosity (what was it after all they talked about in his absence) he leapt directly into simple discourse, listing off what he had just repeated for them minutes before, "Spiced cider for you," a drink was placed in front of Erilena, before continuing, "and wine for you and myself," a cork was popped and libations poured, etiquette demanding that Nephele be served first despite the somewhat greedy looks he gave his empty glass.

[Rei]

Erilena settled back in her chair and simply smiled. It was so nice to see them. It was funny how even despite the time that had passed since she had last saw them this felt so right. So normal. It was almost as if they had never left. Almost but not quite. There were subtle differences. But not enough for them to be glaringly apparent. People were changing all the time and the greenrider had even forgot about a few of their trademarks or quirks. The bright quality to K’sel’s eyes for one. The way Nephele sometimes leaned forward just a tad when she talked. It was familiar, normal and she had missed it. Missed being able to talk to them. Easy banter. Small talk. Anything.

Eyes widening she listened to Nephele’s talk of the tithe theft her surprise was quite clear in her tone. “That was you guys?” She kept her voice low as she leaned closer. “I wondered but…wow. They weren’t happy about the stealing. I don’t think they expected it. But now they’ll be smarter. You guys will have to be more sneaky.” Erilena didn’t like to think of Nephele in trouble. No more than she liked to think of K’sel in trouble. It would make it easier if she knew her friends were together to look after each other but apparently they were not. Hmm. The blonde defaulted to petting Charming as Nephele gave her order as well. She missed her friends flitters too. Mojo, and Charming especially. Although she also adored Mother and liked Sweetheart. Eyesore didn’t come around much. He was tolerant but not really interactive. He was cute though. Not that she’d ever tell him that. The blue didn’t seem much for cooing.

Erilena smiled at K’sel as he repeated orders and squeezed her shoulder. Oh look. He had left his Mojo. Scooping the bronze up and cuddling him against her chest she pressed a kiss to his head and proceeded to snuggle him. “I have to make up for all the missed snuggles huh Mojo. I miiiiiiissed you.” She half cooed softly. Oh she loved the bronze. So much. He had become her adoptive flitter as much as K’sel had become her adoptive brother. Not wanting Charming to feel left out she rubbed him with the hand not cradling Mojo. Her eyes then flicked to Nephele. “I’m glad you’re okay. Really I am. I miss you guys so much though. I kind of wish you guys where in the same place. At least then I would know you could take care of each other. I don’t think I like that everyone’s so….split.” Her hazel eyes fell to the table then and she nibbled on her lip.

There wasn’t much time for further talk on the subject though because K’sel had returned. Giving the brownrider a warm smile she shifted Mojo so he could sit on her shoulder, if he so chose, and wrapped her hands around the warm drink. She had chosen it as much for the comfort the warmth provided as the fact that it tasted good. Waiting for her friends to resettle themselves she gave her drink a small sip and then set it back down. “So now I know you guys are okay. And I know you can’t tell me much about where you are or what you are doing. I understand that and I wish I could know more but. I can at least tell you guys things if you want to know? About anything. Home. Whatever.” Giving them both a smile she titled her head and ran a finger around the rim of her glass. “So…any requests?” The least she could do was give them information. Besides it doubled as a way to keep them here with her awhile longer.