Nakmarr Party: Falling For You

[Nykolas]

Nick stops when he gets to the top of the stairs and casually waits for everyone else. He stands by the railing and looks down, watching the others ascend. He is happy Troy is carrying Lola. He didn't want to be made a liar by having to do it himself but there was no way he'd have left her down there naked and alone. Especially since they know the creator of the Terrata is at this party. The threat on her has increased and that is really why she brought him. Or so she says. She's been to these things before and never needed him then. He suspects she is also making some feeble attempt to relax him. That will never happen, not while he's on a job and what she doesn't know is her family is the job. Drake has made too many stirrings in Kelosh.

He frowns as he sees Amaya and Arako coming up the stairs. She has my things? Damnit, I forgot my things. He is frowning with his arms crossed as the others arrive on the third floor. He points toward his door when Troy comes up. Their names are on the door so it won't be hard to find and it's just down the hall and around a corner. He doesn't explain any of this, but trusts Troy can find it well enough on his own and that Lola might be of some help. He waits for Amaya to arrive at this floor with his things.

[Troy]

Lola in his arms, Troy sighed as they neared the top of the stairs. There were times that being a gentleman were an enormous pain in his ass. This was one such time. Avoiding yet another kiss from the woman in his arms, he shot Nick a long-suffering look. "You've the patience of a saint." Following the motion toward their door, Troy moved toward it quickly. The sooner he could be rid of his burden, the better as far as he was concerned.

[Shinkiro]

A few paces behind Troy, Shin glanced at Nick and inclined his head briefly. The dim light sparkled along the scales of his exposed upper body. Not much longer. He'd go to his room, he'd have himself a bath, and then he'd sleep. And when he woke up, then hopefully his sister would be in her bed and he wouldn't have to go looking for her. And I thought she was boy crazy when we were eighteen, he mused to himself.



Shaking his head to free himself of the errant thought, he dragged a hand back through his hair, pulling the thong containing it loose. Freed from their confinement, the ink black strands fell nearly to his waist. Reaching back, he gathered his hair again and tied it once more just to keep the worst of it from his eyes. "Well. I've learned a game to avoid, it seems." He shot Nick a look of brief amusement.

[Amaya]

Well behind everyone else, Amaya leaned lightly against Arako's side, clutching her prizes covetously to her chest as she laughed. Her brother might not have enjoyed that game, but she most certainly had. Watching everyone else strip had certainly been no end of entertaining. Her head rested on Arako's arm a moment before she held the wine bottle up to him in offering. "Perhaps another drink before we reach our destination?" A coy smile accompanied the words as she glanced up at him from beneath her lashes.


This one? Is it this one? Or is it something else? Amaya considered the thought carefully as they headed up the last few steps. After all, it wasn't something to be taken lightly. But Grandfather had made it seem like a certainty. Perhaps she needed more time to understand it. They had another two days, after all. There was no need to rush. Especially with what was coming later.

[Nykolas]

Nick returns Shin's smile as he comes up the stairs. For a moment he forgets he's waiting to gather his things. He tilts his head down a little, but not in that predator way he does when he's angry. It's more as if he expects he might need to hide though if asked, he couldn't tell you from what. He isn't admitting that to himself yet. “Yeah, sorry.” He responds as if somehow it's his fault they played the game. “I always seem to need a bath after playing that.” Then Arako and Amaya breech the top and his tone changes to a little more firm and a little bit louder, “but I need my stuff back first.”

[Arako]

Arako starts to shake his head in response to Amaya, but this action alone causes the stairs to shift under him. Well not really, but they feel as such. He reaches out to grab the wall and chuckles a little. “I will wait til we reach the room. I can't fly.”

Then he hears Nick's words and doesn't like the tone or the way the other speaks to Amaya. That boy needs a spanking. “Too late. You left them, they're hers. My realm, my laws.” He holds up a palm toward Nick as if to ward him of and then shifts his gesture to point at Nick. He knows the boy has figured out they are not in Serenity and that had to have been a black crescent on is chest. He knows the laws. “Have Kayos come request them in person at a later date.” He then motions for Amaya to hurry past Nick before there can be any argument. “Why don't you help Shin to his room. A moment ago he was unable to move. He needs help.”

[Shinkiro]

He rather enjoyed the Keloshian's smile. He'd like to see more of it. Shin smiled back at Nick before turning his head to regard his sister. The smile vanished as he took in their host at his sister's side. He didn't like her being so close to someone who drew so much power from shadows. But at the same time.. He did approve of their host defending his sister. Even if he wouldn't be allowing his sister to keep Nick's possessions. Mostly because he wanted them too. He merely sighed quietly. "Amaya.."

[Amaya]

Arako's defense of her claim on the trinkets pleased her greatly. Turning her head, she leaned up to settle a brief kiss upon his jaw to demonstrate her gratitude. "I'll be certain to repay your generosity once we're alone," she murmured softly.



Laughing at his suggestion that she tend to her brother, Amaya gave a small nod. "You do have a point. I should be certain that I've properly reset his body's time flow before anything else." She held the bottle to Arako in offering, then thought better of it and held out all of her treasures. She was certain that neither Nick or her brother would be bold enough to take her new things away from him.

[Arako]

Arako accepts the items Amaya passes to him with both hands, leaning against the wall with his shoulder. It's been a long way up and the staircase is a slow spiral so he's feeling it a bit right now. Not to mention the bottle is uncorked so the vapors have been seeping up at them all this time. “Let them worry about each other. Everyone must pair up, it's my new law.” He winks playfully at Amaya, hoping she shares his love of mischief and expecting that she does.

[Nykolas]

Nick does not like any of the 'laws' Arako is spouting. Part of him seems to know better than to argue with the owner of a realm while that owner is high. Part of him, “you can't just...” He trails off and doesn't finish saying it. Arako can just make whatever laws he wants. Nick thinks about the little gem he was given that will teleport him safely home. He just might not be safe when he gets there. He also can't just leave Lola in the state she is in, or at all. Not with the new information they have. And he has more questions for Troy. DAMNIT His face remains stoic with a tint of anger. He's not really as angry has he likes to portray, but it's a subconscious habit he's picked up over the years. People bother you less if they think you are an angry assassin.

He can't help but glance toward Shin after the pairing law registers. Then he looks back toward Arako and goes back to frowning. But does Shin need help? He was looking rather incapacitated just a moment ago and Troy cast a ward on him. Maybe it was more than just a ward? Nick won't admit to knowing Kayos yet, but also Kayos wouldn't care, would just tell him to get a new shirt and bracer. The enchantments on those items weren't that important anyway, Nick wouldn't have removed them if they had been. He'd have been like everyone else and taken off the shoes first. So far the item thieves haven't seemed to notice he never even considered that. It's in her nature, she can't help it. Let it go...

[Shinkiro]

Pair up? Shin tilted his head slightly in question. Can he do that? Then again, he had referred to this place as a realm. If that were so, that would mean that his word was law. And if they were going to pair up.. He glanced around quickly. The blond boy had taken Lola, so the pair of them would have to stay together for however long this rule endured. His sister was clearly of a mind to stay with Arako. Which meant..



Shin look at Nick, arching a dark brow at him in question. Almost as if he were asking if it were alright with the Keloshian that they be paired up for a while. He certainly had no complaints about it. But the other man might not appreciate having him in his space. Especially at their host's whim.

[Amaya]

That sounded like an excellent idea. The pairing up, at least. Amaya cast a smile at Arako in approval. "That seems like a wonderful idea. That way no one is lonely." She gave a laugh before turning and moving toward her brother. It wouldn't hurt to check on him and be sure that he was well. Just in case.



Maybe it was the vapor from the wine that she'd been inadvertently inhaling all the way up the stairs. Maybe it was the fact that she'd been manipulating time magic while under the effects of the Serpent's Kiss. Either way, Amaya took three steps toward her brother before she stumbled. Silver eyes went wide as she stumbled, hitting the railing of the balcony and toppling over. "Sage!"

[Nykolas]

Nick does not hesitate. Or maybe he does, but his mind works so quickly that by the time the others have realized what is happening he is already diving after her. Her expressionists told him it was an accident or he would have let her fall and then when she cried for someone called Sage -or maybe that's a weird oath of a scholar?- the ring's magic told him it was true. As he makes his way over the railing the little voices in his head that all sound like him start to argue. She is dragon, she can catch herself. It probably wouldn't kill her anyway. Now everyone is going to know you're not really a tailor. They already know that, Idiot! One of the voices sounds a bit like a child and is crying for his friends. They'd know what to do. For centuries they have been in his head and he didn't realize how he relied on their input until he had to start thinking for himself. This also makes him feel very alone. His closest friend at this party is really the target of his undercover work. And then there is the voice that starts calling him names for the future betrayal of his friend. He ignores that one. No room for guilt in his line of work.

His focus changes to the task at hand as he reaches Amaya during her fall and scoops her into his arms. The ground is still coming at them pretty fast so he has to surround her with his shadow and will so the sudden stop won't harm her. Dragons can take quite a lot, but he isn't sure how much dragon she has in her so it's best to be safe than sorry. The shadow all around the floor is also reacting, coming up to meet them and cushion the fall. Nick lands, and then his hair follows, but when it settles his eyes cast upward toward Arako. The shadows around the floor and the ball room fade back into their previous places. Nick did not call them and he did not need them, but he didn't mind them being there. Shadow gives him comfort. Though his magic briefly touched Arako's magic so he is starting to realize their host is even more outmatched over Nick than he'd originally thought. Nick pulls his mind away form Arako when the other makes a comment and frowns with a scowl at Amaya while ignoring the blush from Arako's words. This is her fault. If she wasn't Shin's sister.... wait, why should that even matter?

[Arako]

Arako cries through the shadow for his minions to save Amaya. There isn't enough time for him to give too much detail. Neither he, nor any of them have vampire powers so they think and move at normal speeds. Help her! Not being sure there is enough time he starts to gather the shadows at the floor of the great hall to catch Amaya and wisk her back up toward him. This proves to be not be needed as Nick instead jumps into action. Arako is watching them and walking up the stairs sideways at the same time until he is more at the top. He still holds all of Amaya's treasures, but seems a little less high than before. Adrenalin giving him an extra kick, and he has a high tolerance from lot of use of substances. He actually made Serpent's Kiss so it would work on him despite any tolerances. Nick has caught Amaya and is looking up at Arako even as his shadows back away again so they don't reveal too much. When their magic touched Arako could tell there is something off about the boy, but couldn't tell what. It's not something he has a lot of experience with. He plays it off as if he knows everything and without taking his eyes off Nick and Amaya and turns his head a little toward Shin, who is undoubtedly closer to the railing now. “I knew he was a vampire. I hear they make great lovers.”

[Shinkiro]

If any lethargy had lingered from the effects of the wine and his sister's magic, seeing her fall banished it. Adrenaline kicked in, his pupils constricting as he heard her scream for him. "Raine!" The wings appeared on his back as he dashed for the railing and flung himself over. He felt the tingle of shadows as both Nick and Arako reacted. His wings fanned out, braking his descent as he stared down to see Nick on the bottom floor, holding Amaya in his arms.



His heart hammered against his ribs, Arako's jibe about vampires being good lovers not registering with him at first. Safe.. She's safe. It's only then he seems to register that he had stopped breathing. Swallowing, he drew in a deep breath before folding his wings and gliding down to the floor to accept his sister from Nick with a worried frown.

[Amaya]

There was fear as she fell. Of course there was. After all, she'd not expected it. But there was also the sure certainty that her brother would be there to save her. But the arms that grasped her as she fell.. weren't those of her brother. And then there was the tingle of two different shadows around her to cushion the fall. Eyes tightly closed, Amaya clung to her savior for several long moments as she tried to force her heart to stop pounding before looking up to see just who had come to her rescue.



Wide silver eyes stared a Nick a moment in silence as she processed his presence and the implications. "I.. apologize for the inconvenience," she murmured shakily. There was a definite tremble in her hands as she slowly released her grip on the Keloshian. A moment later, Shin was there on the floor. Mute, she reached for her twin, allowing him to gather her close for a moment in a tight hug. "Sorry..." Shin simply shook his head, hugging her tightly a moment longer before scooping her up.


"Thank you for saving her," he said quietly. His gaze moved from Nick back up to the balcony to include Arako in his gratitude before he leapt into the air, wings beating hard as he carried her back up again.

[Arako]

Arako lets go of all the things Amaya has passed to him. Everything but the bottle, but at the same time nothing fell. They just suddenly aren't in his arms anymore. There was a little shadow play as well as the items were sent through the shadows toward Amaya's room. Nothing happens in his realm without him knowing about. Or almost nothing. He pauses a second, something in the shadows didn't feel right but he can't seem to find it. He shrugs and guesses it is probably the affect of the Kiss. At that thought he takes another drink and then frowns over the railing. His minions and a few other guests have come out to see what is going on. His minions came at his call, the others are the guests that followed those minions. Arako just shrugs, but doesn't look at any particular one of them. He can't help but wonder now if Amaya will want to go to her room and rest to sleep off what just happened to her. Maybe he'll try again after dinner. He lets the bottle go, sending it to her room ahead of her and then with a coy smile he turns and retreats toward his own. Nothing wrong with a little hard to get to keep things interesting.

[Nykolas]

Nick remains standing in the great hall. He knows others are looking, but ignores them. The strangers aren't the ones bothering him right now. He'll wait until the other players of the truth game have dispersed before trying once more to go to his room. Then again, who knows what Lola and Troy are doing in there. He shrugs off their gratitude as if he just did what anyone would have done in his place. Most of him believes that. He calls everyone morons and idiots all the time, but in truth he has great faith in people. A little music would sooth the soul, but if he went to the music room and played, it'd confirm to Trish who he is and he'd expect her to try to sit in his lap. The right hand of Lola Grimm killing the right hand of Arako Nakmarr would probably start a crime war, so let's not try that. As Shin heads back up with Amaya, Nick looks around for a new place to hide.

[Shinkiro]

Disaster. Even in a place like this, it was unavoidable. Frowning severely, Shin glanced down at the top of his sister's head. If Nick hadn't been there. If Arako hadn't reacted. Things could have gone so very wrong, so quickly. I must be better. It was the same thought that had plagued him for over six hundred years. He had to become better. This had only served to show how far he had to go. Hugging her a little closer, Shin let out a quiet sigh. "Forgive me."

[Amaya]

"There's nothing to forgive." Allowing her head to rest on her brother's shoulder as he flew them back up to the balcony, Amaya sighed softly. That had been a less than pleasing end to the evening. She cast a smile to Arako, perhaps understanding his thoughts. Perhaps not. Either way, she would allow him his personal time. He had mentioned something about a bath and wishing to have his privacy for it. "I suppose that we should retire for the evening." Shin gave a nod in response as he landed on the balcony, carefully placing her on her feet once more. There was always later, after all. Perhaps she could surprise him after his bath..