It's a bit of deja vu for Nicorina. The group was ferried from the Plaza to the tower via air-taxi, and a Fnerf announced them as Captain Soldano bar Drelickus and Guests. The captain was dressed in a formal uniform, along with a cloak, both of which bore his family crest. While he may have cut a noble figure before, now it is obvious and deliberate. Orca has his elbow entwined with Nicorina's, and looks like an entirely different Skreek in his tailored Rephidim-style tuxedo (black and white of course, to match his natural colors).
The crowd is subtly different than when Alptraum attended a party here. The figures in robes are not Yodh, but mages, which already makes the party more diverse since only a few of them appear to be Eeee. The others are dressed appropriately for the new upper-middle-class of the city, with a few nobles scattered about. With a few exceptions, the party-goers cluster in small groups, usually centered on a mages.
At least the women aren't dressed too differently from the Skreek and Sphynx - at least the younger ones (that aren't mages). It's clear who are trophies and arm candy and who are daughters, at least.
"Oy, do I feel out o' place in dis crowd. Moneies and family name. I gots neither," Nicorina remarks a bit quietly, and oddly subdued for her, once she's had the chance to look around at those gathered. "And talk about selling out Babel to foreigners," she also thinks.
"I didn't know you were a noble, Soldano," Tulani tells the captain, looking a bit overwhelmed by everything.
"My House is gone," Soldano notes. "Boomer ate it and most of my family and wealth."
"Hey, look at that buffet though," Orca says, squeezing Nicky's hand. "I see non-bug meat there. They really are trying t' get the mages into bed with a spread like that."
"Don see de immortal prime minister about yet," Nicky remarks as she squints and peers about. "Prolly gonna make a dramat ... food?" Her train of thought derails as she looks towards the buffet. "Hey, dey almost have enough t' be satisfying."
Orca puts his airship experience to good use, nimbly leading Nicky through the narrow catwalks to get to the buffet. This is also where most of the mages seem to be clustered as well.
"Mages make me itch. Hopefully they won't sense me," Nicky thinks. Of course she doesn't have to worry long because soon the food has her attention! Fortunately she had somewhat enough self-control to actually get a plate and utensils ... and not just grab things directly off the buffet!
Orca steps up and .. actually helps load up Nicky's plate. As soon as she shows interest in something, the first mate is scooping, spooning or plucking it up for her. "See, that is how a gentleman is supposed to serve a lady," a Rhian mare in overly-fancy mage robes notes to her Jupani companion, who has a leg of something stuck in his mouth.
It's really hard not to laugh when someone calls Orca a gentleman. So ... Nicky just grins at the Rhian instead and even waggles her brow. "Also means y' might 'get some' later, yannow, iffin ya treat yer girl right," she even comments softly when she passes by the jupani.
The Jupani (an air mage) nearly chokes on his drumstick as Nicky passes. "Really Gusty, you must learn to chew your food," the Rhian comments, and begins pounding on the man's back.
Nicky, feeling her duty in messing with a mage is done, walks away with a smug grin on her face. Soon that grin is occupied with food! Using utensils, even, and not making a mess!
"Over here," Orca suggests to Nicky, holding back the curtains leading to one of the balconies. The view is nice, but there are also tables and chairs. And nobody in the immediate area.. but there are others at the far end of the long platform.
"Righ' behind ya," Nicky answers as she slinks along behind Orca, then through the offered curtain. She soon finds herself a chair and settles down, content to observe the groups gathered for the moment.
"Whatcha think of it all so far?" Orca asks Nicky, switching to Skeek.. and whispering at that.
"Lotsa political playin' going on. Trying t' impress foreigners by making things appear stable an well off," Nicky observes in skreek between the bites she takes from her plate. She even waves her fork at some of the mages at one point, "Case in poin', de courting of de mages."
"I didn't pick up on the foreigners aspect," Orca notes. "I figured the mages were all a bit jumpy still after the locals turned on them."
"City is mostly Eeee, yannow. I guess dat prolly thirty percent here are no actual city residents," Nicky notes and grins. "Y'gotta be good at judgin' yer marks, after all."
"I just assumed they were all the mages," Orca notes. "Or.. well, I'm from Rephidim you know. I guess I wouldn't notice an imbalanced mix. Anyone we should be looking for while we're here, do you think?"
"Err. No idea?" Nicky admits and casts one of her eyes to Orca. "It no like I have anyt'ing t' gain by finding peoples," she claims and shrugs. While that is not strictly true, she doesn't want to give away she does have some goals here. "I jus' be curious t' see de peoples now in charge. So many rumors about de prime minister it be pretty amazing. Last one I 'eard is dat he really a golem a no a person at all! An before that, a zombie. An before dat, a demon and ... you get de idea."
"Yeah, might be worth checking out," Orca agrees. "Cap didn't ask me to look into anything in particular. He's here to see which way the winds are blowing. Personally, I think he just wants to come home, y'know?"
"Can' really blame 'im. Sometimes it nice t' be home, even if it is a mess," Nicky nods just before she stuffs two rolls into her mouth at once. "Rumors on de street are kinna interesting. Lots of talk about a demon huntin' down evil doers, er, or something like dat," she comments through a half-full mouth.
"Prolly something escaped from the Tower 'o Babel," Orca notes, before daintily nibbling on some sort of fruit-kabob. "Can't say I smelled any desperation in this crowd, so either things are going good or else the yahoos believe that's the case. I think yer right though: we have to sniff the people in real power and see how heavy their underwear be."
"Pretty much," Nicky agrees. "Wish I woulda talked more t' an Eeee that went t' one of these years an years ago. Kinda a grumpy guy, 'im; was fleeing de city too after it was raided. Got invited to an earlier party for some reason or another. Even got t' talk t' ol Thath, iffin you kin believe dat. I didn't pay much attention' t dat Eee, though, cuz never thought I'd be here and need de info. Main t'ing I remember he remarked on was /ow weird it was t' see de old coots wit a girl on dere arm barely dressed and in makeup as dere trophy toy."
"I didn't know you'd been here before," Orca says, looking impressed. "You happen to be one of those barely dressed arm-candy girls?" he asks next, his old leer coming back.
"Wasn'. Met 'im in a port city. He wuz transferring ships. Scraggly-looking guy. Tall, almost all black, unkempt long white 'air," Nicky describes as she gesticulates with the leg of some poor animal. "So never been 'ere before and no been a candy girl, sorry t' disappoint."
"Well, I'm sure we can sniff out something juicy to eavesdrop on at least," Orca says. "And you ain't arm-candy tonight, either, jus' so you know."
"Quit' righ'. I didn't slather m'self in sugar," Nicky quips and cackles like a loon. She almost falls over backwards too when she leans her chair back a bit too far.
After a bit of laughing, and finishing their plates, the pair of Skreeks raid the punch bowl (but it really is just punch) and try to circulate some. After climbing to a higher platform, they finally overhear something interesting. A 'gaggle' of Eeee women, for lack of a better term, clustered together and loudly whispering, "Are you sure it was him? Here? And he went to see the Minister?"
"Eh? Who him?" Nicky wonders as she scooches closer to the chattering Eeee.
"I swear, Tylda, I saw him," a younger woman claims defensively. "They went out to one of the balconies.. I think the glassed in one. You know, I wonder if they're.. related? Wouldn't that be something? It might explain a few things.."
"Nevermind that," Tylda insists. "Did he come alone, or with another mage or.. anyone?"
"Who de heck are dey talkin' about? Okay, I gots to find out now," Nicky thinks. She waits to see if any more clues are given about this mysterious stranger.
"I didn't see him arrive," the Eeee-witness claims, a bit embarrassed."I just saw the two of them heading out there. There weren't any other women around.."
"C'mon, who was et?" Micky thinks in frustration. Her tail starts to twitch, too.
Of course, the Eeee helpfully gestures towards where she saw the Prime Minister and Person-of-Interest heading, at least.
And before she gets to the frustration point of yelling at the women t' spill it ... she slinks away, then meanders in the direction the women pointed!
"He hardly ever shows up in public," another woman says. "Maybe.. maybe this means the mages are going to sign up after all?"
Orca follows of course, until they reach a shadowed area. The only light is coming from a set of huge windows. It doesn't look like a balcony, so much as a gallery along the outside of the tower. "Want me to stand guard?" Orca whispers in Skeek, right into Nicky's ear for extra privacy.
"Sure. Dis sounds juicy. Gottsta see who dis person is," Nicky whispers to Orca. "/I promise t' stay out o' trouble. If I get cuahg' I clam t' be lookin' for a chamber pot!"
The gallery is curved, so from this end Nicky can't see who might be further along.. but likewise is hidden as well. And she can hear whispers. "We need you for this, Cyprian," comes Thath's hushed voice. "If you come out in support, then the public will accept it and the 'issues' they've had with the mages will end."
"Mebbe dey will, mebbe dey won't. It's a hope, sure, but people are fickle. Dey turn on a shekel," Nicky thinks as she slinks (as well as tries to look like she's wandering a bit lost), and listening in. It doesn't help that hearing Thath's voice makes her hair want to stand on end. Nor does it help the tumble of emotions that soon follow regarding this ... minister.
"It is more complicated than that," another voice notes, one on the edge of familiarity to Nicky. "Caroban broke off from working directly with the major governments for good reason. The incidents here in Babel have had major repercussions within the Guild and Caroban. You're asking the Guild to sign a long term, exclusive contract with your new government - which still hasn't fully stabilized the city. I agree with the principle of it, mind you, I just do not know if it is worth the risk to the Guild to pursue it at this time."
"And cue the request for some proof that the government will be stable enough to contract with," Nicky thinks. "It's no different than street haggling, just fancier words."
Nicky catches a slight break.. she can see the reflections of the two Eeee in the glass of the windows before actually turning the corner. Thath is easily recognizable, although he seems.. older. Facing him is a tall Eeee, his fur so black that his black clothing seems less black in contrast. He has piercing green eyes however, and the slight glow to them could be from a magic spell or vampiric ancestry. It's also clear who it is: Alptraum saw him in a dream, leading a group of citizens and carrying the dagger-and-scales symbol of Rephath. The Avenger - the man who flooded Captain Rockmore's mind with the anguish of all those who perished in the Boomer.
"As yes, that one. I remember him well," Nicky thinks grimly. No pleasant memories associated with that one. She also remembers just how dangerous he is, and who knows what spells he may have ready, or if he can sense her!
"I am hoping the Guild will see the potential here," Thath says. "It is in everyone's best interest that the magical support of Babel's infrastructure be paid for by taxes and supervised by the Guild than the current hodge-podge of individual contracts and arbitrary pricing. The Yodhzakaro are gone: the Guild is the only choice. We removed a dangerous obstacle to stability, it is only fair that the Guild cooperate to build and maintain stability."
"You're confident that the Guild will sign the contract," Cyprian states. "Regardless of my opinions, I will support the Guild. I know Babel needs us. I'm just not happy about being made into some figurehead."
"Removed through fire, arrow, and bloodshed, yes," Nicky thinks as a frown creeps across her face. She was here when the raid started, she remembers the slaughter well. "They were no better, with how the cackled and jeered," she continues to think, then rolls her shoulders in a shrug to release the building tension. "Practical solution to a problem now, though. And I can understand the dislike of being a figurehead."
"You're the Avenger," Thath points out. "So long as you remain here, you will be recognized as such. Whatever happens with the Guild, you will not be able to hide forever. The people need heroes that they know are on their side. Not capricious gods or foreign powers or even lofty ideals. They want someone they admire to tell them things are going to get better."
"Well, that leaves me right out, doesn't it? I'm no hero," Nicky thinks a bit grimly.
"When I feel certain they will be getting better, then I will consider claiming so in public," the dark mage grumbles. "If you'll excuse me, Prime Minister.. these social events are very draining on me. I just need a bit of privacy."
"Oh great. Now I bet I should try to convince this guy to speak up," Nicky grouses after his last comment. "How? If I approach him as normal me, I'll set off every warning in existence. And it's not like anyone listens to a rat."
"We all appreciate what you went through during the Wild Hunt," Thath says, and pats the mage's shoulder. Their eyes really do seem alike. "The circumstances and methods were.. less than ideal, to be sure. But you did what was needed. That's all any of us can hope to accomplish. I hope to see you again, Cyprian." And then Thath heads back down the gallery, to another exit opposite the one Nicky used.
Nicky is ... torn. She almost wants to slink in and bother Cyprian, but that may also be super risky. She ends up rubbing between her eyes.
Left alone, the mind mage turns to stare out of of the glass, over the cityscape. The wound is not as visible from this side of the tower. "I didn't know I had any Skreek admirers," Cyprian comments to the air, although his breath does fog the window a bit.
"Y'don't," Nicky comments. "Or at least no' me. I be wandering a bit. Not comfy aroun all de wealth and fake presence down dere. It really is a masquerade, cuz everyone wearing dem in some fashion or another." Since she's been spotted she decides to slink the rest of the way in.
"And what mask do you wear?" the Eeee asks, before turning to get a good look at Nicorina. He actually looks.. surprised. "Well.. if you're a spy for the nobles or the merchants, you're certainly an odd choice. I doubt you could blend into the background at all."
"Dis ribbon," Nicky claims as she plays with one end that hands down the side of her face. "I'm just de guest of the dirst mate of a ship. He an de captain were invited, so de first mate invited me." She shrugs as she wanders over to look out over the city scape. "No a very pleasant view, issit?"
"There is always beauty in looking at your home," Cyprian claims, looking back out. "It is a trick of memory, that we tend to focus on the good things, or the bad. It colors our perception. I enjoy looking at the city, regardless of the feelings it elicits. You are not from Babel, I take it. You sound like a Rephidim Undersider.. but I don't think that's where you're from."
"Don' have a home. From all over. Been to quite a few cities in me life. Met quite a few people," Nicky remarks and shrugs a bit. "Recently out of Rehpidim. Before dat, traveled a bit to Chronotipia. Even rode de train through Sylvania once. Dere's a sad land fer you."
"Sylvania never had any greatness to fall from, so in that sense it is less sad than Babel," the Eeee claims. "Who are you going to tell about the conversation you overheard?"
Nicky shrugs. "Who do I have t' tell dat it woul' matter? Politics of a city dat isn't my problem," she remarks. "Nor is it much o' me concern dat y'might be de creepy guy's brother or cousin or sumthin'. It's de eyes. There's a lot of commonality dere. At least it looked like it t' me." She grins and shrugs, adding, "Y get good observin' people when you spend yer life in the street makin' a living, ya know?"
"And what else have you observed about me, then?" the man says, sounding genuinely curious. Her turns his emerald gaze upon the Skreek. If 'tall dark and mysterious' needed a living embodiment, Cyprian would certainly come pretty close to fulfilling it.
"Y' want to believe the city will get better, but have a hard time finding enough hope t'," Nicky notes, "I know dat expression. Saw it in another Eeee once who fled dis city during de last raid. Met 'im on de train, y'see. Actually, his had less hope den yours. Grim fellow, dat. Said cuz he wasn' dat old and already had 'is spirit broken." She then shrugs and adds with a smirk, "Also, y' probably have vampiric heritage somewhere. It's also de eyes. Folkses in Sylvania explained what de eyes meant. Eyes; windows to de soul, eh?"
"I could also be holding a spell that causes my eyes to glow a bit," Cyprian notes. "Do you think I'm creepy, or scary? Intimidating?"
Nicky rolls her head a bit to give Cyprian a sidelong glance. "I've been all over; been mugged more times den I can count, bean beat up a few times, and raped once," she remarks flatly, "So, no, no really. Y' don' give me any feeling yer a threat t' me safety. See, one t'ing de world taught me is that the really dangerous monsters won't have an intimidating look. Dey look fair an taste foul, so to speak."
"And what about heroes?" Cyprian asks. "Should they be dashing and handsome? Or is being a hero what makes one seem dashing and handsome, hmm?"
"Now dat is a hard question. I 'always 'eard the only difference between a hero an a fool was a hero was still alive," Nicky notes with a grin. "But really, shoul' it matter what a hero look like in de end? I t'ink a real hero is one who doesn't try to be one. Isn' in it for glory, profi' or whatnot. Jus' does what he feels is righ. I 'tink a lot of real heroes are never known, truth be told."
"There's a very good reason heroes do best being unknown," Cyprian says, looking back out of the city. "I think the Prime Minister very politely gave me an ultimatum: pick a side, get out... or become a martyr. Martyrs are much easier to control than living heroes, after all. This is Babel, and the Coalition thought it could silence the Kindly Ones by removing the Yodh. Foolish, really. Or they sacrificed them in the name of international peace. A short-term solution at best. I'm undecided on if they are fools or monsters or just Babelites."
"Or maybe t'ings are just changing," Nicky suggests. "Lots of rumors on the street. Dunno iffin you hear em or not. Something, or someone healed all de sick at de base of Mount Sunala a bit ago. Den dere is rumor of something hunting down old Yodh who were prayin' on de people. Plus, dere was dat attack on de brothel. The rumors on dat made me skin crawl."
"The Kindly Ones are returning," Cyprian claims. "Not a popular belief among my fellow mages, to be sure. But I know miracles when I see them. I'm sure there will be more to come."
"Is dat a good or bad t'ing?" Nicky asks, curious. "An how come you no investigatin' dem. You seem de type to take care o' 'imself."
"I respect the Kindly Ones," Cyprian notes. "And frankly, mages that poke their noses where not invited tend to get eaten in Babel."
"I can' see why. Y'all Eeee just skin and bone," Nicky jokes, even cackling at the thought. "But maybe somethin' good will come, eh? Probably high time now. Too much death in dis city," she adds in a more somber tone as she looks out and over the wound.
"You seem like a follower of Inala to me," Cyprian notes, and then admits, "However I tend to think of most Skreeks like that, especially one so.. decorated."
"An besides, impossible t'ings can happen. D'ja know dat the Countess of Draco County may have found new companionship?" Nicky comments. "If de rumors can be believed, anyway."
At the follow comment, Nicky just shrugs. "I follow me heart. S'all I can do. Plus it be the reward of bein' a nothin' on de road, eh? No obligations."
"I'm a bit isolated out here, and few mages follow events in Sylvania," Cyprian notes. "Perhaps I should do some traveling soon myself. I'm due some vacation time."
"Pick someplace happy," Nicky suggests. "An jus a request from someone wit'out a home. Don' give up on yours. I know it doesn' seem good, but if enough people who want t' change it can get together, who knows, eh?"
"Eventually, Babel will recover," the Eeee notes, gazing at the towers. "Before, it was power that mattered. Now it seems to be money. I'm sure 'people' will gets its turn someday."
"As long as dey have people t' look to t' guide dem," Nicky remarks.
"I'm not sure that I am one of those," Cyprian notes, and then nods to Nicky. "Thank you for not running away or gushing. I should get back to my group though before they start searching for me."
"Eh, most heroes don't believe they are. Dose are de ones that matter de most," Nicky notes with a grin. As for the compliment, she waves her hand, "T'ank you for no grabbin' me butt or fondling me. Nice talkin' to you."
"The thought never even crossed my mind," the mage claims, before following the route Thath took.
"It probably didn't," Nicky agrees in thought as the mage departs. She looks in that direction for a time even after she's once more alone. The skreek soon sighs softly to herself, then places the top of her head against the glass. "Right now I really wish I didn't have to maintain a disguise." she finds herself thinking.
"Pssssssst," comes a soft hiss from the entryway that Nicky used originally. It's followed by a familiar black and white head as Orca peeks in to see if things are alright.
"Yeah yeay, y' sprung a leak," Nicky quips and waves to Orca. She heads towards him and remarks, "Wasn' anything all dat special. Just politics about alliances."
"By folks that could make 'em happen though," Orca notes, looking over Nicky's shoulder at the city.. before pressing her right against the glass from behind. "Oooo, this would be a nice spot to show you what I got special for you.. too bad all these other nosy types are here."
"Eh? We be at a party with respectable peoples. Ya gots t' control yerself for once," Nicky laughs. "But mebbe later I might be talked into somethin'."
"I found de Cap'n," Orca notes. "He's chatting it up with.. you'll never guess!"
"Y' right. I won't cuz I don know anyone here," Nicky claims as she pushes her butt back against the other skreek playfully. "So, tell me already!"
"I dunno either!" Orca claims. "But.. ah, just come and see.."
"Oh, I also be a little sore lately, so y' stuck with other options iffen we do something later," Nicky notes, then licks his ear to make the point. "Now, lets go see dis person, eh?"
"Oi, what a waste that would be," Orca grumbles. "Would spoil the surprise.." Back in the ballroom, it isn't hard to spot captain Soldano, since Tulani is with him. He's talking to another Eeee, a man who seems to have the same bearing, but is dressed in an odd uniform. Although it clearly resembles the robes of the Yodhrephath standing next to him, who even looks a bit like Rephath (if she was shorter and smiled more) and is talking to that Jupani mage, Gusty, from the buffet as if they were old friends.
"Whattayacall a guy Yodh?" Orca whispers to Nicky.
"Barrepath?" Nicky suggests. "Who de heck is dis?"
"Someone important," Orca guesses. "Been watching him. He moves like an airshipman. I think dat's the captain of the Yodhrephath battleship."
"Oooo, dat be fairly important, yah. Mebbe I should seduce 'im," Nicky cackles as she heads right towards the gathering.
"Whoa, no way!" Orca says, hurrying to keep up. "I'm pretty sure the gray-haired one is his wife or something."
"I can seduce em both," Nicky suggests evilly.
"Don't embarrass the cap'n," Orca pleads, as they draw upon the others. Tulani notices them first, and gives a little wave with the arm not entwined with Soldano's.
"Now would I do dat?" Nicky asks with the biggest grin ever. Still, she's behave. Probably.
"Ah, Captain Karada, allow me to introduce my first mate, Orca, and his companion Nicorina," Soldano says, as soon at the Skreeks are close enough. The Barrephath turns and gives a slight bow. "A pleasure," he states. Yup, he's definitely a noble of some sort.
Nicky wants to say I sure could make it one, but instead she ends up curtsying instead. "Nice to meet you," she says.
"So, you're the captain of the Vigilant Eye," Orca says, sounding very proper. "You must be glad to be chasing after pirates, I imagine."
"An de ones who gave dat brothel a right thrashin'," Nicky adds.
The corner of the captain's grin twitches, but he covers it with a laugh. "Well, flying in circles all day does get tedious after awhile," he admits. "And it does let Sister Wynona get in some better target practice with her lightning spells."
At the mention of her name, the Yodhrephath turns and bows to the Skreeks.. then when it seems she's not actually being called on she returns to her conversation with the Air Mage, Gusty. She sure smiles a lot for a Yodhrephath.
"Having any luck in stoppin' de pirates around 'ere?" Nicky inquires casually.
"We've made progress since we started patrolling the trade route," Karada notes. "We've taken down three renegade ships so far."
"Good. Dey give all us questionable people a bad name," Nicky jokes, grinning.
"Captain Karada is displaced nobility like Soldano," Tulani fills in Nicky, in whispered Sylvanian. "Boomer victim. He's here in that capacity tonight, officially. And Wynona is officially here as a former mage. So don't ask too much about Yodhrephath stuff if you can."
"Y'
"Y' act like I don' know how t' properly handle meself," Nicky replies a bit gruffly in Sylvanian.
As Soldano and Karada talk to one another about 'the old days', Nicky feels her hackles rise a bit, and gets the feeling that someone is watching her.
Nicky looks around a bit, but tries to not look like she's looking. "Okay, who be stalkin' me?" she thinks
The layout of the place makes it tricky, given the multiple platforms, but the watcher stands out all the same. Sitting on the edge of a higher platform, with her legs dangling down and grabbing at the decorative vines with her toes is a little girl. The Eeee is wearing a black dress, but has red fur and blond hair, and is staring at Nicorina.
Nicky smiles and waves up to the little girl. "Well, well, if it isn't Little Blakat," she thinks, amused.
The little red bat waves back, still staring. It must be the nose ring - or else maybe she's never seen a Skreek before. Or at least one decorated like Nicky.
"Excuse me a second," Nicky says just before she slips off to find a way up to the little girl.
"Ah.." Orca starts to say, but gets dragged into the conversation with the captains. Tulani follows Nicky with her eyes though. Of course, there's no direct path to the other platform for a non-flyer, so Nicky has to find some stairs going up and then a suspended catwalk to get to the actual platform. A rather burly-looking Eeee gives the Skreek a wary eye. He's not mingling, so must be a guard of some sort.
And so Nicky blows the guard a kiss as she passes by. "I miss my wings," she thinks as she has to make her way around and up all the odd platforms.
The one with the girl also has several other women, all sitting on cushioned stools. From the ages and bearings, they are likely the wives of Councilors. There's a table in the middle, with a tea service and a tray of pastries and cookies.
"Hello dere," Nicky says to the small child as she gets closer. "Saw yas staring at me, so thought I come say hi. I Nicky," she introduces herself. As for the wives nearby, she doesn't greet them directly.
The little girl leans back enough that she can look at Nicorina upside down. "Are you a slave?" she asks, in a squeaky little-girl voice. At least she speaks Standard well enough.
"No. Why do yas think I am?" Nicky asks as she lowers herself to be on the same level as the kid. "Lookin' t' buy me?" she jokes.
The girl spins around to face Nicky, and reaches up to grab her nose-ring. "You've got a ring in your face," the girl notes. "You must have been naughty. Do you get chained to things?"
Nicky pulls back to try and avoid the grab since that will, well, hurt. "Sometimes I get chained to stuff, sure," Nicky says with a grin. "And I happen to like the ring. It goes through me nose!" She shows the girl by tilting her head and pulling her nostril back just enough to show off the grommet the ring rests in.
The girl narrows her eyes, and asks, "How'd you get it?"
"Big metal thing stuck through my nose, then the little insert clamped in. Got it for me boyfriend," Nicky explains all too cheerily. "Why do you ask?"
"Just 'cuz," the girl says, grinning. "Who is your boyfriend? The black-and-white man?"
"Do you want one?" Nicky teases. "And yah, dat skreek down dere is me boyfriend."
"I don't want a boyfriend," the girl claims, sticking her tongue out and making a yuck-face. "Oh, a ring? It's not pretty enough for me," she says, smiling wide again.
"What's yer name?" Nicky asks. "And why don't ya? Boys can be fun sometimes."
"I womp on boys," the girls says, smacking her fist into her palm. "I'm Liotina. Liotina the Mighty! I'm the strongest, meanest and prettiest there is."
"And silliest," Nicky adds as she taps the little girl on the nose. "How come you at this party?"
"This is my house," Liotina claims. "So it's my party."
"Is dat so? Where are your parents?" Nicky asks.
"Boomer ate them!" the girl says, a bit too loudly. "Grammy took care of me, but she's too old now. Uncle does now."
"Who is your uncle?" Nicky asks next, her head tilting just a little bit.
Smiling the little girl points over to the next platform, which mirrors this one save that it's all men in suits. The only ones standing are Thath, and an elderly-looking Eeee mage in fancy robes. Something is keeping any sound from escaping the group, however.
Nicky blinks. "Yer uncle is the Prime Minister?" she clarifies as she stands up. "I shoul' probably go, den. I not in de right circles t' talk t' you."
The little girl grabs Nicky's tail, grinning impishly. "I like you!" she says. "You're different. And weird."
"I no weird," Nicky claims and puts her hands on her hips. "I jus like lots of jewelry in me."
"Did you steal any of it?" Liotina asks, in a rather sly (for a seven-year-old) way.
"Nah, I paid for it. I no a follower of Blakat," Nicky claims, grinning as she lightly tugs her tail in the girl's grip.
"Who?" Liotina asks, suddenly looking.. blank. Her eyes unfocus and she lets go of the Skreek.
"Blakat, de ... eh, no important," Nicky says as she ruffles the top of the girl's head. "So, when ya get older are you gonna get jewelry like mine?"
"I want it now," Liotina insists, no sign of her temporary trance now. "And a cookie!"
"But it involves a lot of needles and it hurts," Nicky explains to the little girl. "A cookie is easier to get."
"You have to get it in secret," Liotina insists. "Or it won't taste as good."
Nicky nods. "I see what I kin do," she agrees and pats the girl on her head again. The the skreek quickly moves away before her tail can be grabbed again. Back to the buffet again...
The buffet is still the central hub for many of the mages - mainly the non-winged sort. A portly Rath'ani winks at Nicky from his station near the pudding.
And naturally Nicky blows him a kiss as she slips by. Her eyes flick to the buffet, looking for a cookie she can 'swipe'. Though it's hardly swiping since this is food for guests. "Huh, I haven't lifted tail for a Rath'ani yet," Nicky thinks.
The mage makes a show of swooning, and elbows a multi-level platter of tea cakes and cookies by accident, causing the whole thing to wobble close to the tipping point.
And Nicky goes to rescue it before it topples! And probaly swipe a cookie in the process. "Careful now," she teases the Rath'ani. "You don't want me tossing my cookies, righ?" Ah, there's the crazy skreek cackle...
"Oh, of course not," the mage says, then with a smirk adds, "Although it wouldn't be the first time a girl did so at the sight of me."
"No a bright girl. Why I woul ..." Nicky says and goes into a long list of odd, to downright weird, sexual things she would do with him. In detail. "But, I see you's busy, so I won't inflict such terrible t'ing on you," she says, winks ... and starts her slink off (with a cookie nestled in her palm).
Leaving the stunned mage frozen in place, it's not that difficult to retrace her steps to the floating platform. She finds Liotina on her stomach, with her head and arms dangling over the edge.
Nicky 'sneaks' up on the little girl and dangles the cookie down in front of her face. "I foun dis lovely cookie. I t'ink I eat it meself," she teases; knowing full well the proper Yodhblakat thing to do is let her steal it.
The girl's hands are a red blur, and the she makes the cookie vanish as if by magic. Although there are certainly some guests below with crumbs in their hair now. "How did you make the pudgy guy loose his balance and then freeze like that?" she demands through a full mouth.
"I describe some adult things I could do to him in detail," Nicky says with a grin. "Yer too young to use that trick with guys."
"I wanna learn it anyway," the girl mumbles. "You can go now, though. I hafta use the potty."
"Maybe when you older. I even help you get all pierced up more that I already am," Nicky promises and ruffles the little girls' head again. "See ya again maybe!" And with that, Nicky knows she best get back to Orca before he gets worried.
"Hey beautiful," Orca greets Nicorina. "I think there's going to be dancing soon.."
"Oh? Well, we can't miss dat," Nicky says as she drapes her arm around Orca's waist. "An d'ya mind if I come back t' yer room t'night? You gots me all curious about dis surprise of yours."
"Oh yes, you will be amazed," Orca promises, before taking the rattess's hand and heading for the dance floor.
"But will I be satisfied?" Nicky teases the skreek, right before she kisses his cheek lightly. This body is odd, that's for certain; but to make matters worse and more complicated; she thinks it might actually be falling in love with this skreek! Aaaugh. She can only hope he's a terrible dancer and steps on her toes a lot to break the attraction! But knowing her luck ... probably not!