RP:Home Is Where The Heart Is

Summary: Tiber and Lanara invite their closest friends and family over to their new home in Sage for a party, and also to announce their engagement! The event is well received by all, until the end, when a certain Backstreet Bard makes an appearance. The party ends and the Amber Lunation calls for an emergency meeting.

Part of the New Moon, New Motion Arc

(Post 1 of 2) It’s early afternoon when the guests are expected to arrive and the house is clean and tidy, both on the exterior and within, as Tiber and Lanara take great pride in their new home. Upon entering the foyer guests will be hit with the pungent smell of sage burning nearby, likely to ensure that only positive energy is welcome. The spacious living room has a lit fireplace and comfortable sectional couches have been arranged around a long table that is covered with coasters, for those that wish to have a peaceful moment and gaze into the flames. Above the mantle hangs a charcoal portrait of the Catalian kneeling before the Kelvarian, asking for her hand in marriage; but the sneaky couple stuck a poster of The People’s Champ, Shishi, in its place. Perhaps the unveiling will come a little later?! The cheerful kitchen lies just beyond and sunlight pours into the room, casting a glow upon the center island where an enormous spread of fine food and drinks await those that brought their appetite. Platters of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, sandwiches, and various types of finger foods are neatly lined up, along with a freshly baked apple pie and some peach cobbler for those with a sweet tooth. A mini bar offers whatever sort of alcoholic drink one could want, and a small bell sits on the table to ‘call’ the bartender over to make a drink. It’s likely Lanara that placed the bell, as Tiber wouldn’t stand for such nonsense, but he -will- come when beckoned and treat their guests as instructed! The rest of the home is fair game for those that wish to explore, consisting of a dining room, an office, two unfurnished guest rooms, and the restroom. The second floor contains the master bedroom, the balcony, another restroom, and a nursery that has been designed for fur babies. Currently, Aspen is taking a nap in his crib and Ranger is chasing his tail, while Salem watches on in sheer boredom. All in all, the house is warm, welcoming, and decorated in neutral tones with just a pinch of Tiber and Lana’s style.

(Post 2 of 2) Lanara is clad in a pair of black leggings, an off-the-shoulder purple blouse, and a pair of black knee-high boots with a modest heel. Her chestnut locks have been braided and pulled into space buns with a few strands left loose for a dramatic flair, as she gives her perfectly contoured face a quick peek in the mirror, “Penelope said she can’t make it today as the clinic is packed with sick patients and she can’t step away even for a moment.” She finishes dabbing a pale rose hue on her lips and rubs them together, “Venin sent the invitation back, without marking anything, so who knows if she will show up?!” Lana slides the engagement ring off of her finger and drops it into her pocket, as she doesn’t want to spoil the surprise until the perfect moment. “And Aira! She wrote us a letter stating that she doesn’t understand -why- we are throwing a party for a house as it doesn’t have emotions… And this morning she dropped a few dead rabbits, freshly skinned, at our back door! I was in the middle of baking and dropped the first apple pie and she just gave me this creepy wave with her bloody hand?!” The witch is mildly horrified, but grateful that Aira isn’t attending because the last thing she needs is to wash gore from their new furnishings. After Lana approves of her reflection she saunters over to Tiber and pulls him in close. She stands there admiring how handsome her future husband truly is, and she’s about to deliver a steamy smooch but Ranger starts barking and ruins their intimate moment. Lana chuckles, “Our first guest is here!” Taking his hand, she leads her lover to the front door, eager to see who is on the other side.

Tiber, for one, had quite the quarrel with the bell that Lanara had placed for him. It consisted of a few curse words and ‘I am not a butler’, but Tiber lost the battle. Also, there had been a few smacks of wandering, greedy man-hands towards the snacks spread out in the kitchen. It was clear, everything was for the -guests-. And Tiber really thought this was -his- home. Either way, Tiberius Lowell was going to be on his best behavior tonight. The man was dressed in a casual pair of khaki-colored pants and a navy blue pull-over sweater that he changed into after he got some sort of sauce on it due to those snack-loving hands. The man is wrapping a belt around his waist in his finishing touch of an outfit as Lanara goes over the brief details of RSVPs. “Got it. Penelope hates Bjorn, Venin hates you, and Aira is a possible… murderer? Still trying to figure that one out.” What a very stereotypical male translation. Tiber is about to smooze his way and give the kissy lips, but Ranger really is a buzzkill sometimes, but that is okay because Tiber leans down to tell Ranger that he, is in fact, a good boy before being pulled away. “I swear if someone is ringing that Gods dang bell all night, I will--” and then, the door is opening…

Based on the directions that were given, Lanara and Tiber had purchased a home that was really only a short distance away from Magik’s treehouse. Given the proximity, Meri did not really see the need to travel with her horse. Instead, Magik would have the following request lobbied at him while the pair were getting ready to leave, “We could just walk? It’d be nice. Just the two of us, strolling through the forest.” Even if Magik’s students were finally able to return to the tower, the treehouse was almost never fully quiet. There was Fleur...or Mirshann...the list, predominantly composed of family, could go on. Besides, how could either of these two claim to be rangers if they did not enjoy a peaceful little jaunt through the forest. “Maybe we could get a little lost on the way home…?” This question is punctuated with a bit of brow wiggling, Meri’s just going to continue to steal Magik’s signature move. Presumably Mr. Lyastri D’Chath is not going to deny Meri such a simple request and the two of them arrive to Lanara and Tiber’s estate on foot. While they would not be bringing Fleur to this event, as toddler’s could be such fickle creatures who are challenging to entertain, they do not arrive empty handed. Tucked beneath one arm is a wrapped gift of modest size. As the door opens and Meri enters, both Lanara and Tiber would be greeted with an easy-going smile. “Heeeey, nice place the two of you have. Magik and I brought you a little housewarming gift for you to open later.” Meri had no expectation that they open their present now, not when guests arrive. When Tiber and Lanara do find the time, they will find a crystal moon inside. Depending on where it was placed within the home, during daytime hours it would absorb the rays of the sun so that during the night the mounted crystal moon could act as a bit of a night light. “Where can we put this down?”

Magik stands just inside his foyer before the couple starts off on their walk through the forest. He stands and looks around the common room while patting various places on his being as if going over a mental checklist in his head. The elf looks like he had just got done teaching over in Xalious. His outfit was simple and..black. Of course. He had on some fresh dress trousers, dress shirt rolled up to the elbow with a fancy vest over top, and some orc skin leather dress boots. Those boots..dyed with the blackest of blacks. That green color would throw everything off. "Dagger, dagger, gold..And..We. Are. Good." Magik takes Meri's hand in his and gives the top of it a quick kiss, "Shall we, my love?" Of course they shall. As they walk through the forest, Magik teases and flirts with his lady. However, he pays careful attention to the forest around him. Ya know, just incase there is a rogue OO member lurking nearby for a good ole assassination attempt. Meri's eyebrow wiggle is matched with his own, "Or..We could get lost on the way there.." He slightly bumps his hip into hers as they continue walking. Being late to this event would be pretty rude. As Tiber and Lanara's house comes into view, the elf judges it quietly in his head. Could be a good judgment, could be bad. No one except for Magik will know. As the hosts open the door, Magik nods his head politely, "Hey, guys." Ah, the gift. Meri can handle the pleasantries and such. He was more concerned about the potential of there being sushi to nom on.

(Post 1 of 2) Talyara barely finished reading the invitation from Lanara and Tiber before she was responding yes and sending her rehabilitated owl, Omelet, back to Sage with their RSVP. Because they lived in Frostmaw, navigating travel, even for a day trip, was a little more of a production than those who lived down the mountain. Concerned for the state of her appearances in what was sure to be a precise and perfect party (if she knew her sister), the little witch suggested that they head down from Frostmaw the day before and stay at the tavern. Seeing as Krice wasn’t the social one of the couple (and the fact that he adored Taly so) he easily agreed to her plan and the day before the party took his wyvern Gylworliath down to Kelay. Despite her concern for appearances, Talyara didn’t overdo her presentation. Instead, she wore a pair of dark wash denim jeans that clung to her legs the way leggings would. She wore a long, dramatic forest green blouse in which the hem fell to her mid thighs and the sleeves were equally as long and bell shaped. Her hair, which was impossible to tame in the best of times, was pulled back in a purposefully messy, yet elegant bun, and secured with an autumnal hair clip of her own making, the foliage and flora in various shades of reds and oranges and yellows. A simple pair of brown leather boots adorned her feet, a more practical choice given their arrival to the house on foot.

(Post 2 of 2) As the couple walked from the tavern through the forest, Taly began to rattle off everything she brought which was secured in the gift basket Krice held. “It only seemed right to bake her favorite cookies our mother used to make, chocolate chips with a side of strawberry sauce to dip in.” The little witch paused to give her head a small shake—it was never one of her preferred treats. “A homemade loaf of bread with rosemary for protection and a sign that no one will ever go hungry in the home. A container of salt for purification. A bottle of elven wine to represent joy and prosperity. And a small besom to sweep away any negativity.” Of course Taly added some other things like various crystals, some coins for prosperity, and a cleansing stick made of lavender, rose, and lemon verbena. As the pair approached the property, Talyara’s eyes widened and she let out a small whistle. “If this is just the exterior, I can only imagine what Lana has done inside.” Taly knocked soon after Meri and Magik arrived and smiled at Lana when she opened the door. Of course she is greeted with the biggest of hugs and yes, Tiber gets one too because her sister is his mate and Taly is just an affectionate sort (and it’s probably easier to just let her get on with it). “The house is beautiful! And so very…you.” She handed the basket over to Tiber without preamble or explanation and Meri is spotted next…and she’s getting hugged, too. Magik is spared the force of her affections merely because she didn’t really know him and didn’t want to be perceived as "weird". Depending on how the party went, he might find himself coerced into one upon farewells.

(Post 1 of 4) Dressed in a non-battle-worn pair of black slacks, which fitted his hips but loosened around his legs for ease of movement, and a white collared shirt with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled to his elbows, Krice was as fancy for this housewarming party as he was going to get without losing practicality. Strapped to his back was a long, thin, white katana with the hilt reachable past his left shoulder, and from his left hip hung his usual black katana. Clearly, he wasn’t going to risk being unarmed in such a volatile environment as created by Xicotl’s activity. He had come back from a battle against hundreds of the monster’s thralls only weeks earlier; if his weapons ruined Lanara’s planned aesthetic, she’d have to deal.

(Post 2 of 4) Holding the basket at tummy-level to gaze down at the items within, he mentally checked off each one as Talyara listed them. About the cookies and strawberry condiment, he mused, “ Smells good, though.” Seemed he was aware of her dislike for the treat. Through the duration of her describing each gift, his expression softened with appreciation for the woman at his side and he acknowledged her considerate nature with a smile small in execution but not lacking in admiration.

(Post 3 of 4) Before they even broached the obstruction of trees to reveal Lanara and Tiber’s home, Krice could already sense - and smell - who had arrived before them. His features shadowed with contemplation but his overall mood remained at the positive end of neutral. Responding to Talyara’s acknowledgment of the sprawling estate, he mumbled a wry, “ So can I.” The imagery he conjured of Lanara’s interior design would eventually more-or-less match the reality, but for now, he remained imperceptibly observant of the path leading up to the door. Though this was supposed to be a more leisurely occasion to celebrate Lanara’s and Tiber’s estate, Krice knew of the active dangers in the world and split his attention accordingly, watchful without appearing so of their surroundings.

(Post 4 of 4) He paused on the stoop slightly behind Talyara and was glancing off to their left when the door opened, scanning the shadows just to be sure. Once Lanara opened the door to greet them, he adopted a pleasant expression and nodded; if she tried to inflict an embrace on him, he would grudgingly accept it but not reciprocate. The basket was passed to Talyara, who then Tiber would also receive a nod, followed by a thoughtful glance passed Magik’s way. The two had met recently during Warrior’s Guild gatherings. His greeting for the shadowmancer was a simple dip of his head before he turned to follow Talyara’s lead. Parties were not his thing; if he wasn’t so respectful of his companion’s wish to be here, he might have waited outside.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara smirks at Tiber as he is led to the door to greet their guests, because a few years prior, she would -never- have marked him a domesticated man! And here he is, playing the roles of bartender and butler, answering the calls of a knock upon the door or the ring of a bell! There is a semblance of pride in her expression, because he’s mostly going through the motions for -her- and it means the world to the witch. The first couple to arrive is Meri and Magik, and Lana’s gaze immediately trails to the gift, which she yearns to snatch from them and open it then and there. “You guys didn’t have to bring anything, but thank you both so much!” She will -love- the moon lamp as it appeals to both her witchcraft -and- wolf! Being a hostess, however, outranks wanting to see what lies beneath the wrapping paper, so she passes the present to Tiber. She greets Meri with their usual unique manner of pinches and pokes before she offers Magik a brief hug, “Glad you both could make it!” The next to arrive are Talyara and Krice, and a glance into the basket is offered, before Lana chuckles, “Mama’s cookies! Thank you both for coming and for everything here!” Later, she will be sure to have a more in depth look at the items in the basket, and all will be carefully put to use in the new home. Taly is given a practically bone crunching hug and Krice is greeted with a nod and a smile, because he’s not overly into affection. She does note that he’s heavily armed and she wonders if perhaps Taly had filled him in on the fact that she’s a lycan. Does he think she’s going to shift and he may need to defend everyone? She mulls over this, but is wise enough not to comment or ask him to remove his katanas, because overall she wants him to feel comfortable and have a nice time. Lanara then ushers in the last that arrive, which is a trio of Kelvarian Elves that had made their home in Enchantment, as well as five members of the Amber Lunation wolf pack. The two groups scatter, some going over by the food and others just lingering for awkward conversation before the hearth. They tend to stick with their cliques, but will be chatty if engaged! Lana nudges Tiber as she closes the door, “Notice that Corrine couldn’t make it? Hm. I wonder what that’s about, but I’m sort of happy that she’s not here...”

(Post 2 of 2) About an hour into the party, drinks are pouring, plates are overflowing with food, and a few have taken tours around the house to compliment or critique the couple's taste in decor. Lana stands in the living room holding a glass of champagne and the bell that she had snagged from Tiber’s post at the mini bar. She shakes the bell and the chime is heard from every room on the first floor as she clears her throat and beckons for everyone’s attention. “Tiber and I want to thank everyone for coming to our housewarming party, because you all are so important to us, and we wanted to share our happiness with those we love.” Chocolate eyes scan those gathered, “I have just a short witchy prayer that I want to say and a little later Tiber will reveal a big secret that we have purposely kept hidden until today. We just wanted everyone to be together to hear the news!” Her gaze lingers lovingly at Tiberius, the man that she is going to spend forever adoring, and it’s painful for her to remove her gaze from his amber hues and remember that she’s a hostess! “Bless this House, may peace dwell within. Protect all that enter, whether friend or kin. Bless every door, window, ceiling, and wall. Bless each room, closet, basement; bless it all. Bless the roof and ground, with your protective love and light. Hold us in your loving care, every second of every day and night. As above and so below, so mote it be!” There is a chorus of applause from the group of elves and hopefully throughout the room, as Lana smiles and steps a little nearer to her mate, “Why don’t you mingle with Magik and Krice for a little bit before we spill our secret? I’m going to chat with Meri and Taly and refresh things in the kitchen.” Lana weaves her way through the crowd and refills any food trays and pitchers, while talking to the younger witch and psion, “How are things going with the wedding planning, Sister? Have you and Krice set a date yet? I’m glad you both could make it!” And to Meri, “Things seem to be getting pretty serious with you and Magik, yes? How is Fleur?”

(Post 1 of 2) Tiber blinks at the two who first arrive. Meri and Magik. There is a small smile, due to hospitality. This whole “let’s throw a housewarming gig” was not really familiar in Tiber’s book. Lanara really was the one training him with social skills. Eyebrows lift at the gift in Meri’s hand and there is a moment of thought that they should throw parties more often if gifts are involved--Tiber was a greedy guy. He plays it cool, however, and gives Meri a wave and attempts to give Magik a shake of hand in greeting. “Good to see you two. Glad you could show.” When Talyara and Krice show next, Tiber tilts his head at the basket which holds… food. Well, he could not complain about food and wine. Tiberius, at first, is taken aback by Talyara’s hug because… affection, but he easily leans into it. Afterall, he better get used to it since, well, the big announcement soon. The nod from Krice is accepted, and Tiber feels he does not have to do more than just that. Nod. Easy. Pfft, this was cake. Once everyone else shows the Kelvarians and lycans, Tiber does a few pats on the back and mild side-hugs before leaning into Lanara’s whisper. Eyes dance about the room, “She probably got stuck with… y’know, ‘plans’.” Meaning, wedding plans. Maybe? He was not sure, but at least there would be no buzz-kill Corrine.

(Post 2 of 2) The evening goes on and Tiber breaks out the whiskey, especially for Meri--which the man also assumes Magik must be a whiskey guy himself since… Meri. Right? Tiber was just taking a guess at the Lyastri. Tiber grabs a few glasses from the kitchen, knowing very well that he might be given a look if he is not classy about his drinking tonight. Who knew. The whiskey is there if Meri or Magik want it. “Go for it.” He would pour himself one before idly chatting around the room and picking at food. Time passes and then the bell rings. The blonde man cringes before moving over to Lanara. He places a hand on the small of her back, leans in for a quick kiss on the cheek and waits for the others to gather for the prayer. Being with the Kelvarian witch, there was still a lot he had to grasp onto, and one was the prayers. Tiberius was not a spiritual man, but he knew that the Goddess had done a lot for Lanara, and for that, he respected his beloved and her values. Once the prayer is given, he nods at everyone before listening to the suggestion Lanara made. Mingle? Forced mingling? Perhaps it was because he did not know Magik and Krice so well that he had a hesitant stare. The lycan was not the shining star of friend making. He was basically forced with the pack to become friends with Greyson and Bjorn. Maybe this was not cake. “Uh, I don’t think--” and then Lanara is gone. The man scratches the back of his head before moving about the space. Hopefully Krice and Magik were in close proximity. “Hey,” he starts. Is that all he had? He clears his throat. Instead of talking about significant others, the man goes for a different route. To both Magik and Krice, “So what are you two into? Sports? Hunting? Krice, I know you live in Frostmaw, what do you do up there?” That was a good start, right?

All of the greetings that were occurring were reciprocated in a very Meri fashion, be it with an easy going grin, as with the case of most, or an awkward one-armed hug in the case of Talyara. A brow is lifted in mild surprise when even Magik is given a hug, but the blonde is quick to accept it for what it is: people are starting to warm up to her relationship with the very tall elf. This was good, as she was quite happy with the man and was trying to keep the guy around indefinitely. For the first hour or so of the party, Meri was more than content to stick by Magik’s side. Tiber’s lack of social skills has never been something that has bothered the blonde lycan, he does well enough in her view. Case in point, he manages to bring out glasses so that both Meri and Magik can indulge in a bit of whiskey. A glass is definitely poured for herself and she’s about ready to pour one for Magik, except she’ll take a moment to confirm, “Whiskey tonight? Or should we see if they have beer?” His answer would depend on what Meri did next but one or another, whiskey or beer, Meri’d get him what he wanted. This might be the first time Meri has visited this home, but she saw no reason to force the host and hostess into fetching drinks for them all night. Shortly after drinks were acquired, Meri’d try and scope out the snack situation. Would they find sushi amongst the spread? Probably not, so Meri would whisper a few teasing words to her love, “I don’t think they know how much of a sushi junkie you are. We’ll get you your fix soon.” It’s not long after these hushed words are said to Magik that the bell rings and Lanara gathers them for a prayer. Meri herself does not claim to be a woman of faith, yet she can still pay her respects to Lanara’s wishes. Meri gathers with the rest of the party as asked, listening in silence while Lanara speaks her prayer. The request to leave Magik with the other men is met with a bit more hesitation as there was a keen awareness that none of these men really knew each other. A look is given to Magik, but after a moment Meri allows herself to be herded off to the kitchen. Lanara has questions to ask both of the women. Meri has never been one to want to be the center of the conversation, so her answers are kept simple. Besides, Talyara does have wedding plans to gush over, or so Meri hoped. “Fleur is doing good. We decided to leave her at home under Mirshann’s care. Toddlers and parties sometimes, you know? Never know when they’re going to have a fit…” Meri pauses and considers, “And yeah, Magik and I are definitely serious. We’re both good for each other, I think, and we definitely make each other happy.” Most of Meri’s attention is on Talyara when Lanara’s sister has a chance to speak her own response but the blonde can’t help but let her gaze wander out to the living room. How were the men managing to get on? They were not exactly the most social bunch…

(Post 1 of 2) As people begin filing in, the Lyastri is polite enough. Krice gets a nod in reply, Taly gets a soft smile. Tiber gets a subtle wink as the memories of the wyvern hunt come flooding back for a split second while Magik firmly shakes his hand. Magik even does one of those awkward gentle pats on the back, twice, as Lanara comes in for a hug. His eyes briefly go wide at Meri but by the time Lanara pulls back, he's gently smiling at her, "Thanks for the invite." As the night goes on, he sticks close to Meri for whiskey time, snacks, and romancing her. Maybe even throwing in a few whispers to her about the plans he has after the party.

(Post 2 of 2) Magik lips the words “Good luck," to Meri with her eventually being pulled away after Lanara's prayer, he joins Tiber and Krice for some awkward small talk with the two gentlemen. Magik slowly swishes the whiskey in his glass as he answers Tiber's questions when appropriate, "Well, you know the answer to the hunting portion. Other than that.. The elf pauses. He wouldn't dare tell them about the secret organization he leads. Especially with other unknown faces in the crowd. It wasn't usual for him to be in a setting without having at least an additional pair or two of watching eyes. Tonight was just him and Meri and whoever -may- be listening through their secretive communication devices. So, the elf goes the safe route, "..So other than being associated with the hunter's guild, I also teach in Xalious at the Mage's Tower. I usually dabble in meditation and pyromancy." Dabble? The Lyastri was trying to be a little modest. "How about you? Still hunting even though our last hunt didn't go exactly as planned?" He even lowers his voice to take a hopefully innocent and friendly jab at Lanara," She still trying to hug animals to death?" There was a quiet chuckle and a smirk at the end of his question. His fiery eyes then quickly shift to where Meri had disappeared to before looking back to Tiber and Krice to keep focused on the conversation.

Talyara could sometimes be a bit overwhelmed with socialization but this was a small enough gathering that it was not too awkward. Plus she wanted to keep close to Krice whom she knew was the strong silent and observant type. Somewhere along the way she had found herself a glass of full bodied red wine and tugged the warrior towards the group of Kelvarians; he hadn’t been in Enchantment when she went to visit them so she wanted to introduce him to people who had helped shape her younger life. The sudden ring of the bell drew the younger witch’s attention to her sister and she congregated with the others around the couple. Taly snagged a coaster and placed her glass of wine down on the nearest flat surface so that she could fold her hands in front of her and bow her head respectfully. It was a familiar prayer to Talyara who grew up in the culture and without realizing what she was doing, she mouthed the words silently along with her sister. “So mote it be,” she echoed quietly with a smile before fetching her wine glass one more. At Lanara’s suggestion of breaking off into smaller groups, Taly quickly grabbed Krice’s elbow and tugged for his attention. Leaning up on her tippy toes, her lips neared his ear and she whispered, “Try and be social. Please? You have grumpy face on.” It wasn’t actually a grumpy face, it was just a more reserved and pensive one that Taly affectionately referred to as such. With a gentle squeeze she released his arm and moved towards Lanara and Meri. Unfortunately for the latter, Taly doesn’t have much to contribute in terms of conversation about her handfasting. “Uh...we haven’t made any.” That also implied no date had been set. Sorry Meri. Talyara seemed eager to learn about her relationship with Magik, though, who was still a relative stranger to her and how Fleur was doing. Despite her own desire to check in on the men she turned her emerald gaze upon her sister. “Soooo how did you two settle on this house? Did you look at many before it? It’s all very you. And you did a wonderful job furnishing it!”

(Post 1 of 3) Krice gave Lanara a look, which she may or may not notice, that communicated his gratitude for her understanding; the future of the world was uncertain, especially right now, and he felt more at ease if he was ready to defend everyone at a moment’s notice. He took his swords everywhere, and he appreciated that she didn’t ask him to discard them for the party. Even less partial to get-togethers than Talyara, the warrior followed her lead and moved with the witch through the gathering, greeting the Kelvarians with a respectful nod and a relaxed - but still neutral - expression. He was more amenable toward these elves than he was toward most of Lythridel’s inhabitants.

(Post 2 of 3) As the prayer took place, he bowed his head but didn’t close his eyes. He wasn’t a particularly religious or spiritual man but he respected the act, especially since Talyara did; besides, he agreed with the message. When she echoed Lanara’s use of ‘so mote it be’, Krice followed suit with a quieter intonation of the blessing, glancing warmly at the witch beside him. His mood changed a little once the older sibling suggested they all gather into smaller groups for socializing. How trivial (only in the grander scheme of world-ending events). Krice knew he would be expected to make an effort so he subconsciously scowled so subtly that only Talyara would notice. He watched the elf take hold of her wine glass--he wasn’t drinking anything--before she pulled on his arm and delivered a message to his ear. Did he have a ‘grumpy face’ on? A brow arched in surprise at being called on it but he adjusted his expression to one of apologetic exasperation. “ What? I’m not. Sorry--fine, I’m goin’.” The moment Talyara released his arm to join her sister and Meri in the other room, Krice felt a little bereft. He’d have to deal, tempering the sensation in favour of… trying to be ‘social’.

(Post 3 of 3) Krice didn’t have to move far to join Tiber and Magik. For his part, he didn’t seem awkward or uncomfortable in their company; he just wasn’t interested in small talk. When Tiber asked after his activities in Frostmaw, the warrior lifted his chin to state, “ Kill bad things, patrol the west, among other necessary stuff.” He did what needed doing, some for Frostmaw, others for the citizenry. The enigmatic swordsman did not bounce the question back at the lycan for the conversation naturally turned that way with Magik’s input, so he simply listened with a hint more interest in the pyromancer’s words.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara senses the awkwardness occuring in the adjacent room, because Tiber isn’t the best when socializing, Krice tends to lack any warmth of friendliness, and although Magik seems polite, no one aside from Meri knows him all that well. Still, Lana hopes it encourages the trio to become friends, as they will likely all be grouped together in the future, at various events as the women are all close. The witch pours Meri, Taly, and herself a glass of iced tea and nudges a platter of cookies closer to where they stand around the kitchen island, “These are -heavenly- and sadly I cannot take credit for baking them. They’re from this cute little bakery overseas and they arrived fresh this morning!” It seems Lana’s not going to share the homemade cookies that Taly and Krice brought, but it’s no surprise as she’s been known to hoard sweets. The psion speaks of her relationship with Magik and Lana smiles as her friend is honest about their relationship, and the fact that her blue eyes constantly shift to the males location is an indicator that Meri is in love! “Awww! I love that you’ve found someone that makes you feel this way… Honestly, it’s night and day seeing you with Magik, because I don’t recall ever seeing much chemistry between you and whats-his-face.” Callum. She knows his name well, but she doesn’t want to speak it, especially after how he abandoned Meri and Fleur! “I wish you both the best and I’m sure we will be double dating at some point in the future! Just please? No more hunts!” She grins, as their last hunt had left her mildly traumatized. “Fleur is always welcome! There’s a little boy in our Pack, his name is Tybalt, and I’m sure he would love a playmate.” The child she speaks of is currently working quietly on a puzzle on the living room floor, looks to be about eight in age, and he is trying out the enchanted mechanisms on his new prosthetic arm. Talyara begins to speak about her upcoming wedding with Krice and Lana frowns slightly, as it seems they haven’t gotten around to planning anything concrete, and they’ve been engaged for nearly a year! “Well… Whenever you want help, you know the witch to call upon! I have a lot of experience planning parties and such, and it would be my pleasure.” She pauses as she swallows some of the cookie, “Sister… Have you and Krice ever discussed moving out of Frostmaw? I know that you have an adorable cottage up there, but the weather isn’t ideal, it’s faced war in the past, and there isn’t exactly a big population of people or animals.” Clearly, Lana is hoping that Taly will consider moving back to Sage Forest, perhaps to live nearer to her sister. She also narrowly dodges the inquiry about house hunting with Tiber, as there were a few mishaps along the way!

(Post 2 of 2) As time goes by and the chatter seems to slow down, Lanara excuses herself from the kitchen and wanders over to rescue Tiber from socializing. She bends down to kiss him upon the forehead, before she whispers in his ear, “It’s time to announce our secret, Love!” Hand in hand they walk over to stand before the hearth, and Lana passes the bell to her beloved, giving him a chance to ring it for a change. After everyone gathers and Tiber begins his speech, Lana turns slightly to the side to reach into her pocket and slips a band around the ring finger on her left hand. The engagement ring is in rose gold, with a vine-like design, and in the center is a chocolate diamond solitaire, surrounded by slivers of smaller chocolate diamonds on the side. It’s unique in design, exquisite to gaze upon, and it seems as though it were perfectly designed with the woodland witch in mind as it pays tribute to the autumnal atmosphere of Kelvar. Tiber obviously paid a good chunk of gold for such a phenomenal piece of jewelry, and once the man states that they are engaged to be married, Lana lifts her hand to show it off to the crowd. Her cheeks turn pink and she’s all smiles, as she removes the poster of Shishi that had been hiding the exact moment that Tiber proposed. She points to the drawing and then points to Tiber, and lastly to the ring, “We’re getting married!!! This witch is getting hitched!” Lana sidles closer to Tiber as she expects everyone to come over and congratulate them.

(1 of 2) Tiber expects a little more from Krice when it comes to Frostmaw, but then again, did Tiber truly care? The lycan was not great at small talk either, but what were they supposed to talk about? Their deepest darkest secrets? When Krice does not ask about Tiber in return, the blonde is receptive to this type of conversation because normally Tiber was not the ‘and you?’ type of guy either. Instead, his whiskey glass raises to his lips with a slow ‘uh-huh’ sort of nod. Should he ask about the whole killing thing? Bad things? Did that involve people? “So… you’re a guard?” He finally asks the man with the katana before addressing Magik’s response. “Pyromancy… so you play with fire. Literally.” Dry humor, but some nevertheless, but he then smiles at reflection of the hunting trip. “I’ve actually been hunting too. Getting familiar with the roots of Sage. It’s… peaceful. Different than Cenril. I’ve been fishing a lot.” It was odd that Tiber was becoming a fishing guy. “Other than that, I’ve been to Schezerade a bit due to teaching, but only in the music sense. Not as cool as fire, though.” Tiberius the music professor. That was new. “I feel like since moving to Sage it’s been… a lot calmer. It’s weird, honestly. Maybe too quiet?” Eyes then look over to Lanara across the room swept in the midst of girl-talk with her close friends. “Or maybe not quiet. Love her to death, but yes, she is still hugging animals -and- they have personalized bedrooms. Do you have a zoo, Krice?” Meaning, does Talyara bring animals to their cottage?

(2 of 2) Eventually, Tiber, through the midst of talking to the men in the group in their slow, awkward words, the Kelvarian sweeps him away. “Time?” He smirks in a confident-like manner before moving to where she drags him. The man takes the bell that is offered. “Wow, the -power-.” He grins at his beloved before looking around the mingling room. He rings the bell and faces begin to turn. “Hey,” he starts. “Lanara and I just want to thank you for showing. Each and every one of you have been a special part of our lives. I know that especially with Meri and Talyara, I appreciate you for accepting me, although Lanara and I have had our ups and downs throughout the years. Lots of high-highs and low-lows. Without all of you, in this room, however, Lanara and I could probably never be -here-.” He briefly looks up and around the home. “In this home. With people we… do I dare say it, love.” That coy, sly grin presses on his face. He pauses with a loose sigh, “Which comes to something important. With this house, comes stability. Growth. New memories. I know it’s been hard in the past. A lot of you know me, I’m not a very easy give-in guy, but… when you find someone you love,” he casts a gaze to the witch. “You give them your all. So I gave my all to Lanara. With that being said, I asked Lanara to be my wife. To keep those memories moving forward. Together.” Then, the poster is removed and Lanara is squealing in her excited delight as she bounces about getting married which makes him keep that grin and laughter. “And I hope to celebrate and keep creating those memories with all of you,” he raises his glass. “To the future. To our home. To our loved ones. Thank you for…” he looks at Lanara, although not spiritual, “Blessing our home!”

(Post 1 of 2) Meri politely declines the offer for tea, she already has a glass of whiskey in hand, hopefully before Lanara has the chance to even pour Meri a glass. The blonde might indulge in a cookie but typically Meri was not the sort to spare sweets with her alcohol. While Talyara did not seem to have much to say about how her wedding planning was going, Meri held no judgement. All couples moved at their own pace and for as long as Meri had known Krice, he had always been particularly private and very paced in all these decisions of his life. Lanara’s initial statement that Fleur is always welcome is first met with a smile but as Lanara goes on to mention a pack and the boy in the back, Meri’s expression shifts to one of surprise. Lanara was part of a pack now? There was a little boy within this pack? Meri’s gaze shifts about the spaces of Lanara’s new home that were visible to her only to fall on young Tybalt. How had Meri overlooked him earlier? “Oh, you have a pack now? This is news, but I hope that you are getting on well with the new additions to your family.” A lot had evidently changed for the witch, Lanara had gone from being at death’s door to having an entirely brand new family in the form of a pack. Meri was so caught off guard by this information that she almost did not process Lanara’s request for a non-hunt double date. The blonde’s surprise caused her to issue another smile, this one more tentative in nature. Eventually Lanara excuses herself from the kitchen, leaving Meri and Talyara there. Another smile is flashed, this one to Talyara as she makes the suggestion. “I suppose we should go see how our men are holding up, eh?” Meri drains her glass of whiskey of its contents and leaves the empty cup near the sink, just to make clean up all the easier for the host and hostess.

(Post 2 of 2) With a wink to Talyara, lso departs the kitchen and returns to Magik’s side. Once she is close enough, she slides the very tall elf, Meri wraps an arm about Magik’s torso and attempts to slide her hand into the back pocket of his pants. He’d be re-greeted with a flirty little pinch though it is not likely to be seen unless someone is standing directly behind them. If Meri was able to catch Magik’s gaze, her blue eyes would shift from him and toward the front door. The blonde opens her mouth to say something to her love but before she has a chance to get the words out, Lanara and Tiber were herding their guests with that bell again. A brow is lifted momentarily but the expression is gone once Meri shifts her attention back to the couple. Lanara and Tiber share their good news with their guests and as soon as Meri has a chance to speak, she responds with a smile and a warm, “Congrats to you both! I am very happy for you two.”

(Post 1 of 2) Magik smirks at Tiber's words about playing with fire as he brings the glass of whiskey to his lips to take a modest sip. After the refreshing drink he swirls the liquid around in the glass as he continues the conversation, "Aye. Sage is peaceful. And I'd like it to stay that way." The Lyastri's smirk grows as he whispers, "I wouldn't want to evict you and Lanara from the forest." The tall elf winks. Was he kidding? Probably. Would he give a hint as to whether he was actually serious? Poker face. Magikrios did like the unofficial title of Guardian of the Sage so he felt the need to flaunt his unofficial duty to the neutral territory whenever he could. Tiber's mention of fishing doesn't go unnoticed so the elf continues practicing this thing called "social skills." "Fishing? I'll have to show you some spots some time." The mention of Lanara still hugging animals has the elf chuckle and take another sip. There was going to be another comment but the conversation shifts to Krice. Magik even adds in, "Is it a..hugging zoo?" That might have been a little inappropriate since he barely knows Magik but the elf means well and is just trying to get even the slightest chuckle out of Krice.

(Post 2 of 2) Meri making her way over was most welcomed. As Magik was conversing with Krice and Tiber, he was being vigilant on who was where around him. Magik knew that he had no underground connections within those gathered. Given the recent happenings with the Mage's Guild, he was starting to feel a little uneasy/anxious, but he wouldn't show it. As Meri wrapped her arm about him, the Lyastri drapes his about her shoulder and pulls her close. Meri's gaze is met with a subtle and slow nod until that bell rings again. Magik's natural reaction to the sudden sound has his free hand reach for Meri's pinching one and directs her to a small dagger hidden in his back pocket. Obviously he realizes there was no danger but it's still good for Meri to know Magik was packing. After the announcement, he lets Meri speak for the both of them. Although silent, he holds his glass of whiskey up towards the newly engaged couple. As he brings the glass down he simply shrugs at Meri. These types of gatherings and announcements weren't really his type of thing but he's trying.

(Post 1 of 2) “Move out of Frostmaw?” Talyara echoed with a soft hmm of contemplation. They hadn’t ever discussed it and the younger witch never paused to consider whether that was something she wanted. When she first arrived in Lithrydel she was intent on staying in Sage, only a war broke out almost immediately and she was forced to move with the other refugees up to Frostmaw. She spent several months there before the time of peace came and it was safe to return to the forest. Only, Taly established a life for herself by then, a job, a house. A short string of lovers were also stationed up the mountain until finally her and Krice—who was also a Frostmaw citizen—found each other’s companionship, beyond friendship. “We’ve never talked about it,” Talyara admitted to her sister with a shrug, taking a bite out of the cookie before washing it down with a healthy gulp of iced tea. She knew what her sister was implying and she definitely thought it was worth a conversation with her beloved. It was lovely, being in the company with two other couples who seemed just as happy as she and Krice were. Meri’s surprise at Lana’s news that she was in a pack was met with a tilt of her head. She was just a regular, boring elf and wasn’t versed in lycan culture. Was it uncommon to become a member of a pack? Or was it simply because Lana had joined one so quickly? Either way, it seemed rude to ask such a thing so she merely bit the inside of her cheek and internally mulled it over.

(Post 2 of 2) A few minutes later, Taly watched as her sister ambled off to the other room and turned to look at Meri when she suggested they go and check on their men, grinning and bobbing her head in agreement. Taly polished off the remainder of her tea, deposited the glass in the sink, and followed after the psion just as Tiber began to ring the bell to call for their attention. “I hope you at least said…something,” Talyara lamented to Krice as she walked with him closer to the couple. If he answered her, she wouldn’t be able to respond because Tiber launched into a lovely little speech that concluded with the unveiling of a large portrait of the pair upon their engagement and Lanara holding up an impressive ring. Eyes and mouth widen in surprise and Talyara is momentarily frozen in shock. It only took a quick shake of her head to be on the move, and she beelined towards her sister and wrapped her in a big hug. “Oh my goddess, congratulations! How exciting!” Without waiting for an invitation, Taly grabbed Lana’s hand to inspect the ring. Her expression softened and she smiled at Tiber approvingly and then back to her sister. “It looks like home.”

(Post 1 of 3) Obviously Krice was armed, too; dual katanas - though one was purely white and a little longer and thinner than the other - strapped to his back. If he wore other weaponry beneath his white button-down, it wasn’t visible. His answer to Tiber was more relaxed, “ Not officially.” He hadn’t been employed by the City of Frostmaw to protect its borders, but rather did so from a desire to protect the people he cared about, not the least by protecting the lands on which they lived. That came with protection of the rest of the citizenry among whom they lived. “ I’m sorta”--he didn’t like talking about himself; it felt foreign, but at least he knew the topic--”supplemental to the guards.”

(Post 2 of 3) His attention was divided evenly between his conversation with the men and the words shared between the women in the other room. He noted everything they said to each other, sensitive as his hearing was, though not with any intent to eavesdrop; to him, their voices were as clear and as loud as if they spoke directly into his ear. At one point, he seemed a little… crestfallen, perhaps, but it was subtle and easy to be missed by the other less-than-social men. It would be the first time regardless that either of them had seen any softness in the enigmatic swordsman. Silence overtook him as Tiber and Magik conversed. While he was paying attention to them, he seemed a little taken aback by the question about having a zoo. And Magik’s additional query about it being a ‘hugging zoo’. The warrior quirked a brow. “ Uh. Not like that.” No rooms dedicated to each individual animal, nothing set up like Lanara’s animal operation. “ Talyara helps anyone and any-thing- who needs it. If she wanted rooms at home dedicated to that, I’d have no problem with it.” He shrugged. It was a non-issue. He’d even build the rooms, himself.

(Post 3 of 3) Soon enough, the ladies emerged from the other room and Krice stepped back from his group to offer Talyara his left hand, drawing her into his side once she took hold. His expression was warm despite being tempered by the public setting. Her words tempered it a little more. “ Come on - I’m not -that- bad,” he mumbled, a little defensive but playfully so. As he paused beside her to receive Tiber’s announcement, the warrior rested a hand on the small of his companion’s back to maintain contact without restricting her movements. Throughout Tiber’s speech, he listened attentively with genuine interest, though naturally his thoughts turned to his own life with Talyara. Almost everything the lycan said could have been applied to himself and this non-boring elf at his side. When she rushed forward to congratulate them, Krice dropped his hand from Talyara’s back and joined it to the other for a small applause, a smirk softening his expression as the happiness of the occasion spread through the room. Naturally, his pleasure was mostly derived from his lover’s excitement more than that of the couple, and he watched her with unabashed adoration as she congratulated her sister.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara gives Tiberius that ‘look’ that she’s been prone to giving whenever he says something swoon-worthy, and she quickly presses a far from chaste kiss to his lips before everyone surrounds them to offer congratulations. She gushes about how the Catalian took her on a hike and dropped to one knee as the sun was setting, how he hired a professional artist to capture that exact picture perfect moment, and how they had gone onwards to a ritzy lodge where they celebrated in private. Meri and Magik are the first to speak and Lana smiles warmly and graciously accepts their well wishes, but it’s the psion that she directs her reply, “I know things have been happening mega fast in my life the past few months, both good and bad, and honestly keeping busy has truly helped me to overcome some of what happened…” A -lot- of negative things happened to the witch in the past two years, but Tiber’s love and lycanthropy had pulled her back to enjoying life and living in the present. “I know we have so much to catch up on, and hopefully we can meet up for lunch or something?” Although things have been strained between the friends, it’s obvious that Lana still considers Meri one of her favorite people and hopes to repair whatever may be broken. With a wink, she shifts her gaze from the blonde to Magik and wiggles her brows, as if hoping they are the next couple to get engaged! Talyara rushes towards Tiber and Lana in a mad dash, with her arms outstretched, and Lana accepts her hug with a squeal, “I was just as surprised as you are and I wanted to tell you but we decided to keep it a secret and tell everyone all at once!” Her left hand is raised as she wiggles her fingers so Taly can appreciate the way the light bounces off of the chocolate diamond, and she softly states, “Tiber -is- my home…” Those four words speak volumes to how the witch feels about the man, and she returns Krice’s smile, because she senses that he thinks the exact same thing about her little sister.

(Post 2 of 2) Next, the members of the Amber Lunation weave their way over to offer fist bumps and brief hugs to Tiber and Lanara, pleased that their Alpha and Luna have sealed the deal in both the canine and human worlds. The refugees from Kelvar are the last to offer congratulations and they speak to Lana and Taly in Sylvan, as though afraid the others would engage them in conversation if they learn they speak Common. The three elves enjoy their privacy and are hesitant around strangers, yet they are equally as thrilled as the others to learn about the upcoming wedding. Lanara speaks to the crowd as a whole once everyone returns to their food, drinks, or cliques, “We are hoping to get married this fall, likely in the middle of November. It will be a small wedding, and obviously you all are going to be invited! We both-” Her words trail off as the arrival of a fiery haired woman catches her off guard, rather, the fact that this woman’s ‘date’ is none other than Nicolai Garter. The Backstreet Bard that had nearly killed Lanara a few months prior! Corrine, the fashionably late and ridiculously rude packmate, claps her hands and loudly declares, “Congrats, Ti-BARF-a! Maybe the third time will be the charm, huh, Lame-ah?” The air is thick with tension as all heads turn towards the nasty woman, and Lana steps closer to Tiber, as though frightened of seeing Nick carelessly step into their home on this most special of days. Will a fight break out between Tiber and Nick!? How -dare- Corrine ruin their housewarming party!!! Lana offers a tentative smile to the crowd and tries to salvage the affair, “Thank you all for coming! As you can see, some of us have loose tongues after having one too many drinks!” She forces a faint laugh, “With that said, maybe we can all plan something again in the near future, and I’ll be more selective about who is invited.” Hopefully, the crowd will disperse, and there won’t be any hard feelings for putting an abrupt end to the party. Hopefully, Tiber won’t lose his cool and kill Nick in front of all these witnesses. Hopefully, Corrine will keep her trap shut and Lana won’t lose -her- cool and stain the new carpet with the woman's blood. Hopefully.

(1 of 2) Tiber looked out beyond the crowd in his confident, boy-ish smirk. Each face in the room had a significant impact on the couple before them. A story that molded the couple. It was odd seeing a room full of familiar… caring faces. This was it. This was… home. Their home. Lanara was home. Talyara comes in to scoop her sister up and stare at the diamonds on Lanara’s finger while the rest congratulate the two. Tiber lets the two sisters talk before saying to Talyara, “Hey future sister-in-law.” Amber eyes search to Krice. “And it looks like we might be spending some holidays together.” Tiber wiggles his brows towards the man. Meri and Magik are then offered a couple double-pointer fingers to act as “finger guns”. Tiber reflects briefly on the conversation with Magik. The joke about being “evicted”. Tiber of course snorted playfully at the comment, for it would not be the first time Tibara had been kicked out of a place, but there was a mental pause. Was Magik a guard of some sort? This was something that Tiber would have to figure out--not for criminalistic purposes, but for… knowing Sage purposes. Kelay-Sage was a new start for Lanara and Tiber. The Catalian wanted to keep his beloved and pack protected. A possessive instinct. Tiber was keeping Cenril business in Cenril. That would not change.

(2 of 2) The pack swarms in and Greyson comes in for the straight bro-hug while Bjorn does the fist bump. “It’s official. You’re whipped,” Bjorn states in his slur of manner. Clearly he touched too much booze this evening. Tiber gives a lazy glare at the delta before rolling his eyes. “Violet, get him ho--” and then a bursting door. An entrance. Corrine. She was here, and… Tiber’s breath faltered and muscles began to tense. There was a visible wrinkle in his forehead at the intense stare he had for Nicolai Garter. Tiberius does not react with Corrine’s words, but instead tense eyes remain on Nick. That Backstreet Dork. “What is he--” Teeth clench and Lanara is quick to try to say the goodbyes because… Nick has a death sentence. The whiskey that Tiber holds is thrown back down his throat to keep from bursting, and there are sudden hands on the blonde man. Greyson was on Tiber’s left and Bjorn on his right. Very discreetly. Tiber knew he needed to relax for company. “Yes,” Tiber says tightly. “We apologize for the sudden farewell, but we hope to see most of you at the wedding. Take any food you’d like for the road, and we wish you safe travels,” eyes do not peel off of Nick for a second. If Tiberius’ face did not say it, this might be time for a cut and dip. Bjorn and Greyson look at each other before talking over one another calling different phrases like “nice to meet you” and “safe travels” and… “meet me at the bar!” specifically from Bjorn on that one. An intense ending for such a lovely evening.

All seemed to be going well with the party. Talyara was gushing and gawking over Lanara's engagement ring. The newly engaged couple were each giving a little mini speech to their guests. It seemed that most of the selected guests were able to conduct themselves accordingly in this social setting....up until the very end. That speech is cut short by Corrine and her date enter and are already spewing negativity and the response that both Tiber and Lanara have to their presence is very telling, though Meri is entirely in the dark on the specifics. She had never before met Corrine and had not the slightest inkling as to what might have transpired with the bard from….whatever band he was from. Meri couldn’t even name it. As the tension fills the room, Meri shifts her gaze back up to Magik and then once again toward the door. This time, though, both Tiber and Lanara were encouraging their guests to leave. It is at this point that Meri removes her hand from the knife that Magik had so subtly revealed to her so that she can take hold of his hand, urging him to the door. “Uh, I guess it is time to head on out,” Meri says in a very confused tone of voice. Prior to them even arriving at this party, Meri had been suggesting they get a little lost on the way home. At the completion of the party? Returning to their very private treehouse was seeming like a much better alternative. They could curl up on the couch with some whiskey, it seemed like a much better plan for the night given how many people seemed to be traveling through their forest today.

The Elder Lyastri simply arches an eyebrow at Lanara's wiggling eyebrows. First, that was his signature move. Second, he wasn't quite sure what those eyebrows were leaning towards. He didn't know Lanara well enough to even guess what she was signaling. So there was a simple smirk from the tall elf. Magik slips back into the crowd as the newly announced engaged couple is swarmed by their closer friends. However, the arrival of the unexpected guests and their outbursts has the elf on edge again. Like he really needed to do so, he gets on his tippy toes for a quick second to get a view of those who could potentially get their heads beaten in for causing trouble in the Sage. As it leads to nothing too major, Magik locks eyes with Meri and he nods in agreement and grips her hand firmly. It was definitely time to get going. Who knows what kind of mess Mirshann and Fleur are getting into back home. There were handshakes and fist bumps for Krice and Tiber and a polite nod to their partners, "Thank you for having us. Congratulations again. You have a lovely home." There's that slight awkwardness. The way home to the treehouse in the elven camp was quiet for the most part. He followed Meri up the stairs that wrapped around the base of their tree to their home. Instead of heading right in, he hangs out on the small balcony. He leans against the rails for a few minutes to listen for any further disturbances before finally heading inside to join Meri for some more whiskey and eventually bed.

(Post 1 of 2) Talyara’s expression softened when Lanara commented about Tiber being her home. Of all her past relationships, the lycan was Taly’s favorite. And not just because his snark kept up with Lana’s personality shifts (which the younger witch thought was really good for her sister), but he clearly loved and doted on her, something she deserved. She glanced towards Tiber when he referred to her as sister-in-law and smiled. But then her face bunched up and she narrowed her gaze, reaching out to poke him in the chest. “Just because you got my sister a beautiful ring and organized a brilliant proposal doesn’t give you liberty to hurt her. Because I...will...make...you...pay!” She emphasized her final words with jabs of her finger, a bit of an empty threat from the pacifist sister who barely cleared over five feet. Still, it was her sisterly duty to issue a threat. Not wanting to commandeer the couple, Talyara stepped aside so the other guests could offer their congratulations; however, she lingered near enough that when the Kelvarian refugees came forward, she was able to converse with them in her native tongue (something she didn’t use quite often).

(Post 2 of 2) Eventually, she meandered back over to Krice, eyeing the refreshments table for another nibble of food, when the door suddenly flung open and a pair of people walked in--one familiar and the other not. The loud mouthed woman was the stranger and Talyara immediately took a dislike to her thanks to not only her choice of date, but also the nasty, juvenile names she called the couple. Taly’s fists balled at her sides as she unconsciously took a step forward (as if she could honestly do anything against two lycans). She was about to open her mouth to issue a biting remark when Lanara quickly dismissed them from the party and Tiber backed her up. She looked from the betrothed couple to the intruders and back again, as if silently asking her sister if she wanted her to intervene. Finding none, Taly reached out for Krice’s hand and gestured toward the door as Meri and Magik took their leave along with various other partygoers. “We should go…” Casting one last glance at her sister, Taly made her way to the door with her beloved, but not before she shoulder checked Corinne on her way out. “Whoops, sorry!” Talyara said in a faux apologetic tone. Was it immature and petty? Of course, but she had to do something.

Krice spared a glance to those who looked his way, particularly those - like Tiber - with whom he shared words. Spending holidays together? Oh boy. "Can't wait." The words he spoke lacked the excitable tone that typically accompanied them, but he wasn't being snarky or negative. This was his future, connected to Talyara as he was, so he could tolerate a couple more people a bit more frequently. It was with evident interest that he listened to Talyara's Elvish conversation with the Kelvarians, though whether or not he could understand them remained to be seen; he didn't appear lost to the conversation, though. The subsequent commotion of Corinne and her bard drew his eye and surprised him enough that he appeared perplexed, but he did not step in. Tiber - and Lanara - could handle it, unless the supposed music star got any more rowdy. When Talyara stepped forward to help her sister, Krice reached out to stay her with a gentle touch to the small of her back. Upon dismissal of the party-goers, the warrior lifted his chin to catch Lanara's eye and offer her a farewell twitch of his free hand, same for Tiber, and a more familiar, " Take care," to Meri (he knew her a bit better) as she exited with Magik. The enigmatic swordsman took Talyara's hand and moved with her to depart as well. " No complaints from me," he murmured, clearly in agreement with the idea of leaving. Talyara's little shoulder-collision with Corinne ensured that Krice stepped into the role of protector - slight as it was - by easing her to his opposite side, placing himself between the two women in case the aggressive bard-lover retaliated. Nudging open the door, he'd usher Talyara out and then follow.

Lanara exchanges parting words with the few Kelvarian’s that linger, makes certain all of the guests are out of the home, and closes the door and locks it. The housewarming party has come to a close, Tibara’s engagement has been announced, and the Amber Lunation has some serious things to discuss...