[07:28] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Its been a a week. Or so. No Eli. His was a face that was seen nearly evey day, at least once, borrowing and returning books, curled up on the porch reading, and occasionally dusting the staff. Because people deserve to be happy! But after the party? Eli sort of fell off the face of the planet. So today is momentous! The pixie steps up onto the front porch of the Windgrace home with a little shiver of unease. There is the ever present trail of dust just faintly touching the air behind him and in his arms is a pair of books that he had borrowed last. Eli is fully glamoured, society doesn’t need to be seeing a shirtless pixie running around town. So he at least /looks/ presentable. Staring at the door, he twitters quietly as he debates whether or not to knock. But then he takes a breath, lifts a hand, and does. Softly.
[07:30] Dinah had set most things to at least 'perceived' right since the party, but there had been one face she had not seen and, admittedly, had yet to reach out for.
It was one of Dinah's maids that answered the door, peeking outside and then giving a bright smile.
"Good morning, Mr Eli!" she dipped into a little bow. "Are you here for the library?"
[07:34] Eli nods mutely at the Maid. They know he doesn’t talk. Everyone knows he doesn’t. Those blessed with his performance at the party likely know he could, but then things happen. He aims at a smile, a nervous one, then taps his fingers against the books that he is holding. An inquisitive, expressive look is given to the main and then he points up and makes a circular motion. ‘Anyone home?’ He’s done it before. He will train the staff to communicate nonverbally eventually.
[07:36] The maid stepped aside, holding the door open for Eli to enter. At the gesture, though she nodded and beamed. "Miss Dinah is awake already. Would you like me to fetch her?" she asked, already stepping back towards the stairs. "I shall let the kitchens know you are here. I know things are scarce but at least we still have plenty of tea!"
Dinah, meanwhile, had heard the conversation from downstairs, one sided though it was, and peeked her head out of her room, leaning over the edge of the banister to the stairs.
[07:41] Eli may have spent many of the past several days making dust laced cookies. Yummy, delicious, and not at all nutritious. Lady E’s pantry had run out of the ingredients though and replacing the flour and sugar had been next to impossible. Even money cannot buy things that do not exist. A soft Twitter of sound is offered to the maid, what serves as a thank you, really, and then he actually glances up the stairs beyond her to catch sight of Di. One hand lifts to scratch the air on a little wave and then he points toward the library to indicate if this is where she wants him to go.
[07:44] Dinah beamed when she saw eli and at the gesture, she nodded "I'll be right down darling" she called down towards him, hurrying for the stairs.
She smiled brightly when she got to the bottom of the stairs, an almost grateful expression on her face.
"It's good to see you, darling. I have hoped you wouldn't have been scared away permanently by that...messiness of the party. How are you, dear? it has been far too long"
[07:52] Eli is not drunk tonight so he is not feeling bold enough to speak, to leak shadows all over Di’s home. So she will feel that gentle nudge from him, a tentative knock from his mind to hers. He is a nervous creature but her warm greeting soothes him in notable increments. He glances about to ascertain that there are no others from the party before he sends her his thoughts, “I am sorry for the mess I left you that night.” He gives her a bit of an abashed look, “I do not do well in violent interactions. I .. am afraid I was not quite myself.” Or showing a part of himself that he tries to keep out of public view. “You said that it gets lively.. I just was not prepared for that. I should perhaps refrain from parties.” Pressed against his chest, in a wrapped cloth, is a small package of the cookies that he has baked all week. These are a precious commodity not only because they are, in fact a sweet treat, but because of the liberal amount of dusting that they have received. He fishes the package out
from between his chest and the books then offers it up to her. Its only about a half dozen, not many, but he is hoping that she will appreciate the gift regardless.
[07:56] Dinah softened again and she smiled, reaching her fingertips for his cheek "oh sweetheart. you have nothing to apologize for. Until everything went sideways, everyone was having splendid fun, and your glitter was helping with that. I am sorry that it did go as wild as it did. Normally things do not get violent but... that was a difficult situation that just came to a boil, I suppose" she looked down at the gift and she took it carefullly, unwrapping it and smiling.
"you made me cookies? Come on to the library, darling. I still have a few chocolates left if you'd like some. Dorian bought the last few boxes the florist had. I will share with you but noone else" she smiled mischievously
[08:03] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Though assured that an apology was not needed, Eli still remains a bit remorseful. His eyes stray toward the top of the bookcase when they enter, toward where his waterfall of dust has transformed the wood into an iridescent flow of dust. But it has been cleaned and the shelving looks like it has suffered no ill affects from his fright. Shifting his focus back to her, he bobs his head and beams at her. “Yes. I .. make things when I am upset. Its .. soothing? I made cookies and I painted my room, and I even started working on an Aether powered hang glider. I .. buried myself in activities.” He glances down at the books in his arms then turns toward the bookcase, opening it so that he might slip the tomes back in their places carefully. “Careful eating those. They were made with love. You may want to ah.. lay down after.”
[08:07] Dinah hummed and smiled, chuckling as she neatly re-wrapped the cookies. "I shall keep them hidden from the boys then. the last thing they need are cookies like that" she held them carefully to herself, like a treasure.
"Making things is a good, productive way of soothing yourself. I mostly just scream or sulk. Not at all productive. But. I have started on self improvement. I grew to mislike those big bulky wings of mine. The ones i have chosen instead are far more slender. Like yours. Dragonfly like" she chatted to him as she wandered into the kitchen. Stashing the cookies where she could retrieve them when he'd gone, she returned with a box of chocolates she'd stored in the fridge.
"here, love. there's a few left. would you like some? How are you faring with your studies? Are you still finding hermeticism interesting?"
[08:16] Eli ’s wings are always an indicator of his moods and interests. Though glamoured, they are always present – he does not have a form where they are not a part of him. The people who have grown to know him have likely picked up on the fact that when he is excited, frightened, or any strong emotion really, the wings will flutter – and this produces dust. The carpets on this home may have had previous traces of Eli’s visits removed, but the excitement he feels at the thought of even a single chocolate ensures that the gentle sparkle he is leaving behind will surely be more than enough to spread and gild the furniture again. “Oh, yes. I believe that I may have gathered more knowledge in this field than the one I came to the island to study!” he twitters a laugh, the sound bell like and ringing. “I am running out of material to read though. I think I will need to find a way to practice.. There is only so much you can gleam through books.” This saddens him and he furrows his brow, uncertain again.
“I may have to pause my studies until I can save enough to continue on.”
[08:21] Dinah grinned at his reaction and she chuckled, opening the chocolate box and setting it on the piano's seat for him to pick at whenever he pleased.
"you have certainly been going through my books voraciously. I would not be at all surprised if you are nearing my level in theoretical knowledge" she agreed. His words made her ponder and she hummed, beckoning him to follow her as she headed for the desk. The Business Desk, where the details of the Windgrace business enterprise was controlled from, though...more often by her brother and not her.
"How much would it be, darling?" she asked him, her voice entirely serious as she rummaged for a pen and a cheque book, peering towards him.
"just give me an idea. A vague ball park of how much you will need. Otherwise I shall pick for you"
[08:30] Quin Li (riven.rowe): The pixie wastes absolutely no time heading for the chocolates. He secures one with a cherry suspended inside and slowly places it within his mouth. Eyes close and he makes happy noises – little whistles and chirps, then folds his hands across his chest, right over his heart. This is bliss – and he is allowing the treat to melt on his tongue so that he might fully enjoy it. When summoned forth, he lifts his lashes then curiously follows Di toward the desk. He was oblivious as to what the checkbook and pen meant – until she asked him to give her a figure on how much he would need. The sheer surprise he feels puffs a cloud of dust about him and he stands there stunned and staring at his most favorite professor with a sort of wonderous disbelief. And then he tears up. One lone, iridescent tear escapes his eye and wets his cheek before he can step the flow. Averting his face and lifting a hand to cup his cheek where that streak of moisture had betrayed him, he shakes his head. “I do. I do not know
Professor. I need a place to draw out circles, to experiment. Without being bothered. I don’t know what this costs.”
[08:36] Dinah watched the happiness of her favourite student with the chocolate, though the surprise, and the tear. That precious little tear. She lowered the pen and she nodded.
"If i had the reliable space I could spare for you here, I would do so, but since i cannot, And I absolutely will not have you pausing in your studies simply because of such an inconsequential thing as funding" she lowered her gaze to the book, scribbling down his name, her name, the looping flowing signature.
"so this will be considered a gift, Eli. or as a scholarship, if you would prefer. I will talk to my brothers but I guarantee they will be fine with me donating to have your studies continue" she peered back up towards him. "do you have equipment? Glassware, burners? I can spare you the basic chemical compounds, at least, from the academy"
[08:47] Eli has nothing. He is literally a Wyld pixie who dared to be more than the nature of his kind. His homes were hollow trees and little caves, not the trappings of society. When he had started to mingle with humanity, he had made a grave mistake and paid for it dearly. A good portion of his most recent years were spent in captivity as the subject of a grueling experiment that has left him forever changed. He has only recently found employment as a sort of servant or companion in the nearby Esher home. He has learned the hard lesson of the value of money – and how unforgiving the world can be. Di’s kindness? It stirs up emotion he cannot easily recuperate from. His hand rubs at his chest and another tear leaks free. “I could not be such a burden on you Professor.” He states, “If you are to assist me, you must allow me to in some way even the debt.” He is fae, after all. Nothing is freely given. Her question as to his supplies has him furtively dropping his gaze to the floor and then glancing back
up at her. “I have .. acquired a couple things.” Stolen. He has stolen a mismatched collection of things – and this is no complete set of equipment. “I do not have much room for it. I will need to find a place he can work.” Like the academy. If only he wasn’t afraid one of the professors there would /recognize/ him.
[08:53] Dinah clicked her tongue and she twirled the pen in her fingertips. "Do you know how many of my students in that classroom have ever bothered to speak with me outside for further lessons? How many of them actually seem to WANT to learn?" she clicked her tongue again and shook her head with a cluck of disapproval.
"To me, the fact that you want to learn would be considered a repayment enough. But i understand that your nature might disapprove. What would be an appropriate recompense? I wouldn't want to suggest something that you would disapprove of" she smiled cheerfully. "We are wealthy, Eli. My brothers and i. Money is of little consequence."
[09:05] Quin Li (riven.rowe): It is difficult for Eli to put a price on his education. If he were in the position that she is in, he could ask for nearly anything. And he would. The value of the gift sets the price, and he knows that his drive, his need? That makes him vulnerable. Knowing this? Does not make him any less willing to throw himself at the offer. He swallows the chocolate that has by this point dissolved in his mouth and lifts his hands to swipe at the iridescent moisture that has tracked down his cheeks. Shifting about uneasily, he bows his head to Di and thinks. When he responds through their telepathic link, he is careful in his wording. “I would give you a favor of considerable weight. Something that only I can do for you, no questions asked.” He then tilts his head back up to look upon her face, to gauge her reaction to what he has offered. The two are in the library, loitering by the desk. There is a check, a pen, and some sort of transaction occurring.
[09:12] Dinah considered the offer and she tittered behind her hand. "you ought to be careful optioning that as a payment for something, darling. But. I accept. And I will take great care to not make the situation anything dangerous or...morally ambiguous." she pondered the number to attach to the check and she smiled up towards him.
"So we will want a sum that will give you enough money to get you the parts of your kit that you are lacking, as well as finding a space to do so." she scribbled out a number and reached for an envelope, and a wax block. A whispered word in deep speech conjured a flicker of greenish lightning from her fingertip just enough to melt a splodge to seal it, and she pressed her ring into the wax to stamp it shut.
"There. if there is any trouble fulfiling it at the bank, please tell them to contact me directly." she stood, offering him the letter between her fingers.
[09:15] 'Stray' ' meandered in from... somewhere and simply laid himself on the ground. His paws were grubby again thanks to his cavorting habits in the woods and he sat there licking at them, one eye now and again opening to peer at Eli in all his shimmery glory across the room.
[09:22] Eli is .. morally ambiguous. He had meant what he said, and she did not have to lay out restrictions upon her acceptance. But the fact that she does earns her a smile from the Pixie. And perhaps a level of adoration that she may not have earned in any other way. Trust. If she was not already his most favorite professor, she would have secured that spot now and kicked all other contenders out of the running. He chirps his understanding when she indicates that he should contact her if the bank provides any resistance to his withdrawal and a fine shower of dest bursts forth from him. Now, there is excitement. He is so moved that he is even lifted from the floor an inch or so, bobbing there in a cat provocative way as his wings stir the air in the room. He is extremely happy and maybe still a little disbelieving. He opens his mouth to murmur out his response, given at the same time that his thoughts reach Di’s mind. “Thank you.” And of course the words stir the shadows beneath his skin, the tattoos
previously hidden by glamor writhing across his skin like an ever changing Rorschach test.
[09:27] Dinah smiled warmly as the kitty wandered into the house and she beamed, reaching over to rub his ears. "Hello darling. How are you? have you been off on your adventures again? look how dirty your feet are again, sweet boy" she cooed, and she gave Eli a friendly smile.
"I meant what I said, Eli. The fact that you actually want to study means that I shall see to it that you have whatever you actually need to do so. I shall not see one of the most pioneering minds of that academy go to seed just because you are not as privileged as some of the more wealthy and frankly talentless cases in my classroom" she folded her hands together, beaming at the sight of his shadows spilling. "you will do great things, Eli. I know it."
[09:30] 'Stray' ' paused in his grooming as Eli lifted into the air, his eyes and head tracking the pixie's movements. <Adventures,> he responded to Dinah with a little flick of his tail. Both paws set themselves on the ground and his backside wiggled a little as he settled into a better position for movement, for pouncing. Those wings were terribly tempting - though he could still easily be persuaded from interrupting the conversation.
[09:36] Eli really has no intentions of purposely doing great things – he just wants to learn and explore and increase the sum of his knowledge. To share it. This is nirvana for him. Happiness. This does not mean that he is immune to praise, however. His cheeks color with a faint pink and he beams at Di. His attention is drawn to the cat sprawled on the ground when Di pets him and he watches as he rolls about into a pre-pounce position. A nervous gesture is given to Stray, like an aborted wave, and then he reaches out to him with his mind, attempting to draw him into the conversation with Di. “Hello cat.” He doesn’t remember a name. “Don’t eat me.” Then back to Di, “Thank you Professor. I will endeavor not to let you down.”
[09:38] Dinah saw the pre-pounce calibration position and she grinned, reaching down to scoop up the stray like a baby. It would end up in a bunch of white fur all over her dress, but better that than having Eli chased about the place again. "oh no you don't" she said playfully. "My wings aren't finished. I can't come up to the roof and get you down again if you get over-dusted once more" she snuggled against him, hopefully giving him many pets to distract from the pouncing.
"At least it's just your feet that are dirty. we don't need to give you a bath again just yet" she pressed a little kiss to the side of Stray's face, though she chuckled and nodded at Eli's words.
"I am very curious what you can do without need to worry about mundane practicalities. If nothing else, i will be very curious to see how you will make your technical prowess work with the hermeticism too. you know, if you ever come up with something that you think will benefit ships or whatnot, you could come to us for that too. Drystan might be
interested for the fleet"
[09:48] 'Stray' ' did shed a wee bit. He wriggled when Dinah picked him up but easily settled into being held with a grunt. <Can get down now. Have been learning,> he insisted which was quite the blatant lie. The pets were a heavy distraction though and the kitty was purring loudly when she bent in for a kiss. His tail flicked only once or twice in disappointment of lost pixie pursuits. Eli spoke to him and he tilted his head, eyes closed but ears pointed. <Just a lick?> asked the catto. <A lick isn't too much dust.> ((Sorry kiddo dragged me away.))
[09:53] Eli continues to bounce just above the air, his float drawing him to one side and then the other. He draws his legs up as if this will keep him out of reach of the cat and one arm curls about his knees to assist in holding him aloft. Its an odd sight, with a partial glamor. A man, just floating there in Di’s library. But he feels fairly comfortable enough to allow this. His eyes narrow on stray as he is swooped up into Dinah snuggles and the then the pixie relaxes a bit. His thoughts reach them both, “I would like to see your wings, Professor. Flying is one of life’s joys.” Flight and speed. Eli might be a >< of an adrenalin junkie. “Oh, my focus is mostly on propulsion.” He shares after a moment, pleasantly surprised to se that his interest might in fact coincide with their own. “My goal is to harness the inherent magic in Atherite to power a flying ship to greater and greater speeds. Sadly, I am still much faster than anything I have created yet. But my resources have been.. minimal.” He
then glances toward Stray and arches his brows. He glances over at Dinah then gestures to her briefly, “You made her climb onto the roof? Ask her.”
[09:57] Dinah curled her arm around the kitty and continued the petting. it was a strange concept to think, considering he might poof into a man-shape at any time but as long as he didnt...and she could find him pants..she was happy enough snuggling him like this.
"yes, well, i'd still rather not take the risk. especially since you might forget if you get dusted" she chuckled quietly, but she contemplated the request to see her wings. "When i am finished. my wings are not the only thing I am changing. I pulled out that hideous chest eye of mine, and I am working on...repositioning parts. Altering skin tone. And I need to give myself hair again. As I said. Somewhat working on self improvements" she considered Eli's words and she nodded. "I will speak to drystan. If he is interested, I wonder if we might be able to work some sort of scholarship arrangement for you. We will almost definitely be interested in speedier flying machines, after all." she peered down at the kitty in her arms and she smiled back to Eli
again.
"he didn't make me, but he was stuck and I thought it the safest way to get him down again. if you are comfortable with him licking you, darling. One lick. one. and NO going on the roof"
[09:57] A group member named Kelly Atheria gave you Tres Blah Saturday Sale 8-19-23.
[10:00] 'Stray' ' seemed rather determined to prove himself when Dinah questioned him and his ability under the influence. He flicked his tail and mrrrr'd and in a POOF was gone from her arms, instead clinging to the ceiling like an oversized wingless bat. Not fortunate for the wood, considering he was using his claws to keep up there, at least briefly. Another POOF and he was atop a bookshelf, and another plopping him over Dinah's shoulder like a shawl. He maoooooo'd but seemed content to be so flopped, perhaps weary from the teleportation effort Or a bit rattled by being high up, even for a moment. He was, after all, scared of heights. <See? Can manage. One lick. And another to clean the lick off,> he said - or thought openly to them both.
[10:05] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Having the dust licked from hs skin is not something that generally happens to Eli. His magical happy dust is usually delivered in a cloud, a puff of glitter delivered to the recipient. He has no idea how much more potent the dust might be taken directly from the source. Thus, he is curious. Already close to Di, he turned his body more fully in her direction so that he might more clearly see the cat cuddled in his arms. But then he is on the ceiling, the book shelf, and then curls about her neck. The poofing startles him at first – wings flutter and he lands upon the ground with a soft thump and a swirl of dust. But after the second porting he calms, realizing what the catto is doing. A hand lifts, palm up, as if cupping the air. There is a glimmer of dust upon his flesh. If he rubs, it will sprinkle free. He laughs though, when stray tries to slip in a second lick.
[10:09] Dinah squeaked a little as the cat popped outof her grip, only to return, eventually, to her shoulders. She reached one hand up to help secure him, and even give him more pets in his scarf position. "you are getting very good at that, but the roof is very high"
"alright. TWO then. ONLY two. and if you lick more than that, you're getting straight in the bath. Right in the people tub" she warned, though she gave Eli an indulgent smile. "he's a very strange boy, but he's very sweet. Thank you for letting him. even if he probably shouldn't" she chuckled again.
[10:14] 'Stray' ' practically bristled with excitement when his TWO licks were approved! A whole TWO! The cat poofed from off of Dinah's shoulders and reappeared - in the air in front of that dusted hand, unfortunately. He fell with a MAOOOOWWWRRR into a heap on the ground, promptly exploding in a puff up fluff until the nude boy form was curled on the floor in front of Eli. He wasn't detered despite his fleshy self taking landings much harder than his catto form would. The stray popped up quickly, grinning wide and toothy as he reached to grasp Eli's hand and lick his very human if a little rough tongue over the dust in his palm in one big, heavy lap... then another. Then he just held the hand, as it contemplating heavily another lick.
[10:21] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Coming to visit the Windgrace’s after avoiding the home for so long has led to perhaps the best day, thus far, in Eli’s immortal life. He has been given chocolate, the company of his favorite professor, and the chance to learn freely, without monetary restrictions. Even the cat’s curiosity is stirring his own. Though Eli is an eternal source of the magical dust, it does not affect him. He can only experience its affects by observing its affects on others. He was not expecting stray to pop up in front of him and go crashing toward the ground. He bends in an attempt to swoop the cat up, to keep him from the awkward landing, but instead finds himself gripping the boi as he transforms. He is of course naked which brings instant mortification to Eli. Even as his hand is captured and licked, the pixie is exploding into a shimmery rainbow if dust that hands about him and Stray in an iridescent swirl of glitter that slowly drifts toward the ground. Seeing the look on Stray’s face, Eli makes a soft sound then
shakes his head. A mental message is sent to both the cat and his professor, “Don’t do it.”
[10:24] Dinah giggled as he poofed out of her arms... but then he was a naked catboy on the floor and she sighed, a baffled smile on her face. "...i should be far less used to the sight of your backside than i am, darling. I really, really should" she mourned in amusement. "you've had your two, now. Eli, give him a swat on the nose if he tries for the third. there is no way i am fetching a naked man down from the roof" she warned. "but I will chase you with the hose if i have to" she grinned. She chuckled over his shoulder towards the pixie, shaking her head.
"I do apologize for him, Eli. one day you might be able to visit without fear of being licked or shaken or otherwise traumatized. At least this is relatively benign, yes?" she asked hopefully
[10:30] 'Stray' ' had already stuck out his tongue but he pulled it back into his mouth again, scrunching up his nose and flicking his tail to swish rainbow dust around in the air. "Hmmph. Fine. FINE. Two. Two's plenty," he murmured and simply flopped himself back into the dust on the floor, rubbing and rolling himself in it like it was a shower of catnip- which it might as well have been for the way he reveled in it. He was still purring, his pupils blown wide. At least when he settled he was face down and the more private bits were hidden against the floor.
[10:37] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Curling his fingers into his damp palm and then gently tugging his hand away from Stray, Eli curiously studies him as the effects of the dust begin to sink in. The human face is expressive in different ways and he is NOT going to look down. The very thought of doing so makes his wings flutter and still more dust rains down between them, thickening the air with the glitter. Eli offers up a wry smile to Di as Stray sprawls on the ground at his feet where it is notably colder. The catboi rolls in that shower of dust that is still lightly drifting from Eli and will likely experience the restrained roll of artic chill that is always edging out the pixie. His gaze focuses on Dinah entirely as he continues the mental conversation with the two and assures her, “He did ask for permission. I gave it, so no trauma. All is well.”
[10:38] Dorian made his way home, having put his horse away in the wake of his daily ride. Sensing his twin was near he was getting ready to tell her all about his time out there upon swinging the door open. The drawn breath was near silently expelled as a smile crept up his face upon seeing they had company. Tales of Irene could come later. So it was that he came in and greeted them all with, a chuckle and a very astute observation: "Darius has lost his pants again, I see. Mr. Eli, a pleasure. Dinah," his sister was given a little incline of his blond head. Then he'd cast his grey eyes around the three of them again, keen to learn just what he was interrupting.
[10:40] Dinah nodded, satisfied that the catman wouldn't get more dosed up than he needed to be, but...he was rolling in the dust on the floor, and she sighed. "at least he only licked twice" she wouldn't give the catboy any pets in this shape, at least. not until he got his fur back.
She laughed at Eli's words and she nodded. "At least he's not chasing you this time" she agreed, though when Dorian came in behind Eli, she beamed and lifted her hands towards him.
"beloved, Eli came to visit." she said cheerfully, as if he wouldn't be able to see the pixie in the library right there. "our fluffy darling has only just changed. i'm glad you are home, if he gets stuck on the roof again, at least someone will be able to get him down. he's rolling in dust at present, of course." she tittered.
[10:44] 'Stray' ' nuzzled the floor like it was his favorite plushtoy - which of course didn't really exist. Dinah guarded Clipsy and her stuffed rabbit very well and Stray was simply not allowed to make scratched-up messes of either. He only moved from his sprawled position when he felt the chill settle into his bare skin, pulling a groan and a shiver from his nude form. He pawed his way across the floor to curl up in a corner by the bookshelf, as much in a ball as he could be while in this form, quite forgetting how to change himself back as the pixie dust settled in. Instead he began batting and chewing at his own tail, evidently convinced it was the source of the unnatural chilliness that clung to the ground around the pixie. When Dorian entered he paused in his chewing and piped up "Ponies?" before disappearing again in a poof of dust. Perhaps to cuddle Irene and soak up some body warmth - hopefully as a cat.
[10:53] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Dorian’s arrival is not unexpected, but it does send a shiver of unease through the pixie. It is not necessarily the man that creates the disturbance so much as the memory of the violent atmosphere from the party. The tension. He twitters softly and steps to the side to allow Dorian unimpeded access to Dinah, and to keep his glamoured wings out of the way. The pixie ‘looks’ like he is wearing his suit and bowler hat, cocked at a cocky angle. But those with ways of seeing through glamor would know he is dressed in far less. Clothing is not often made to accommodate wings and Eli can’t afford the services of the local tailor. The pixie drops his gaze to watch Stray a moment then realizes that he is staring at a rump and a curling cat tail. He twitters and then rolls his eyes up toward the ceiling to watch it instead until the catboi says ‘pony’ and then poofs. He twitters a hello to Dorian then glances over at Di questioningly. He lifts his hand to tap fingertips against a temple then inclines his
head to Dori. Eli is shy. He has not really truly met his professor’s brother other than a drunken serenade.
[11:02] Dorian was right in the midst of answering the cat's keen nose, "I was just out for a ri--" but the stray disappeared. If he did find Irene, she'd likely have just finished her peppermint. She'd been extra skittish but that was nothing cuddling couldn't help. Maybe. Dorian didn't bother finishing his sentence.
He took the moment after Stray poofed to reach out a large warm hand to Eli, introducing himself, "Dorian. And I remember you have rather a lovely singing voice, do I remember that aright, sister?" He refrained from embracing his sister due to the company and not being clean enough for contact with her pretty dress.
[11:04] Dinah giggled as she watched the kitty attacking his own tail. nudity or not, that was always cute to see. Though as he poofed out and towards, presumably, the stables, she laughed quietly again "....we did warn the stablehands about him, didn't we?" she asked in some concern, but as Eli tapped his head to suggest the psychic conversation with Dorian she smiled and nodded.
"Dorian and I are both used to mental communication, dear. we often spent far more time in each other's heads than our own" she giggled. "he will be fine, love." she reassured him gently, giving Dori a nod.
"He does have a lovely voice, but Eli does not speak often. he communicates mentally, love, as we do. He came to bring my books back. I shared a little of my chocolates with him" she grinned "He also mentioned that he might have to pause his studies on account of a lack of funds. I gave him some to halt that silliness."
[11:07] 'Stray' ' caused some slight to-do in the stables - mostly from the side of a naked boy that then became a cat that they cuddled up to a recently-ridden Irene. It quieted down quickly enough, at least... either the catto was content to soak up the horse's warmth or had gone off to cause havoc elsewhere.
[11:15] Quin Li (riven.rowe): The offer of a handshake is responded to after a moment’s hesitation. His grasp is cool, cold even, and a faint sparkle of dust is left upon Dorian’s palm once the greeting ritual has been completed. Dinah’s assurance once again relieves the pixie boi. He offers up a smile to Dorian and then very politely, softly even, reaches out to initiate the conversation with him as well, pulling Dorian into his conversation with Di. He is still aware of Stray, even though there is a greater distance now. He allows that connection to ease. A hand lifts to touch his throat and his cheeks gain a bit of color. He does not talk often, let alone sling. “My apologies. When I talk things happen that I have little control over.” Fingers lift to dust across his lips which tip in a slight frown. But he smiles at Dorian and notes, glancing between the two, “I have heard about you and am very happy to finally meet you.”
[11:21] Dorian hadn't shaved in several days to earn the scruff upon his face. He's answer his sister with a wince about not explaining the cat as a friend to the stable help. He assured his sister, "I shall surely tell Will the next time I am at the stable, to watch out for Darius." He'd have until tomorrow to think of what he could possibly say to the stablehand to prepare him for the Stray's particular brand of furry havoc.
Upon learning that Eli spoke silently Dorian's face would show surprise, only really getting it when Dinah spelled it out for him. Once she did though, and once the contrasting handshake was done, he'd use his silent voice, which sounded just like his outward voice, as posh and undeniably English, open for Di to hear too, "<We can speak this way, should you prefer. I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance and apologize for my behaviour at our party. It had been perfectly lovely and you were a part of that so-->" He mimed tipping an invisible hat. His expression was open, friendly, with a
grin persisting that made lines by his eyes, just enough that one might doubt any other sentiment could preside upon that face. At least if they hadn't seen it with their own eyes. A few weeks past.
[11:26] Dinah giggled at Eli's reaction to them complimenting his singing and she shook her head "All I saw were shadows, darling, and there is nothing in the dark that i fear. Neither of us. I am trying to learn how to manipulate them too, as is dori" she said gently. As dorian approoached her she stood on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek, smiling as she touched his sleeve.
"We will definitely have to start paying the staff more if they have to tolerate his shenanigans" she agreed with a titter. As he started to speak mentally too, she smiled between the two.
"Eli is my best student. He has read...practically every book I have at this point, isn't that right, dear? he studies technomancy at the academy. He was talking before about making an aether powered flying machine, isn't that terribly clever?"
[11:37] Eli is generally a nervous creature. The violent atmosphere that ended that party had kept him indoors and away from people for more than a week. An altercation like that may very well be an easily traversed occurrence for some, but for the pixie he had needed the space to recuperate. His unseen wings flutter with an echo of that past unease and a sprinkle of rainbow sparkles sifts through the air gently. He is obviously the source of the iridescent sheen that was likely common in the house by this point. Peering toward Di with some concern, he inclines his head to her then lifts his hand to rub over the glamour hidden void in his chest, the glimpse of the star filled galaxies that he is very much a part of in the way of fae who represent greater things. He shares with the two, “The shadows are very much a part of me. Like.. another arm or leg. When I speak, they come out – that is what I cannot control. But they are me and I am then, so manipulating them?” he smiles a little, “It has been a long
time since I could speak around anyone who was not frightened by them.” Dinah’s descriptions of the pixie have him giving her an abashed if proud look. He likes the praise though clearly he does not feel he is as wonderful as she perceives him to be. “I have read a couple of them more than once. Sometimes when you learn other things, you learn more from a second reading.” Mention of the airships he wants to build has him beaming at Dorian, brightening notably. There is a real passion there – to make something that can soar through the skies faster than he can.
[11:44] Dorian took up his sister's hand when she placed it on his sleeve and looped it so it'd rest upon his forearm as if they were going on a walk. His grin deepened as he was kissed and he listened to his sister expand on her acquaintance with the cool blue man. Shifting his weight nigh imperceptibly to hip bump her gently, he'd remark aloud, "That is a great number of books if you have earned such praise, sir. Kudos. And fortune has fallen favourably upon you to find such a teacher as Professor Windgrace here. To the shadows--"
There was a moment when he turned to look to Dinah, then took heart from her friendly face, and went on, seeking Eli's eyes again with his silvery gaze, "I have been trying to learn, though I am not half as clever as my sister. She teaches me things too, though I am not brilliant as you, sir, as you are her favourite." There was a time when he wouldn't dare talk about magical things in front of anyone who was not kin. Not him, the unlearned one. Dorian shook his head as if it was his
great shame, though it was just for play.
[11:47] Dinah lowered her chin and she gave Eli a fond smile. "you will find, darling, that there is very little you can do in this household that would frighten us. you will always be free to be yourself in this house, Eli. All of the family will agree with me. We were born mortal so none of our powers are innate to us. Except the mental communication" she tapped her brow again with a pointed fingernail. "but, as i said. we will not be frightened. so feel free to speak with your voice, if you wish it." she stooped past the two to snag herself a chocolate from the box on the piano seat, beaming with pride when Eli mentioned having read some of her books twice.
"isnt he splendid? the only one of my students who wants to learn" she wrapped her arm around Dorian's arm at the repositioning, beaming at Dorian's words. She clicked her tongue at his words, and she shook her head.
"you are plenty clever, dorian, just not from books" she chided. "you are a quick study when you can learn physically and not
academically"
[11:56] Eli is inundated with praise. He flushes with a that soft pink hue again and peers back and forth between the Windgrace twins. Heartened by their declarations, he ponders moving the conversation to a less magically draining format. The very idea has his unseen wings fluttering again and he uneasily shifts his weight from foot to foot. When he speaks again, it is with his ill used voice that lilts and rasps with disuse. The shadows begin to play beneath his skin, swirling and dipping then flowing upward toward his mouth. “If you are certain.. I can always refrain again if you are unsettled.” Whisps of darkness escape him with the words to then spiral down around him. Darkness seemingly solid, like smoke, twining about his form even as it presses from within to escape. “I am not very physical at all.” He shares with Dorian. “I am afraid that the most I do is fly, and that is like walking. I had heard hat you also fly?
[12:06] Dorian learned much of everything he couldn't figure out on his own by watching or asking his sister how, when they were very small. By this late stage in their development he knew when to ask her for help, at least some of the time. Having taken a personal shine to Eli the night they met when the magic was still in the air along with the music, hearing his sister wax on was easy. He could only tack on, "Yes, as she says, you should feel free to be you here. Even if I faint, my sister knows where we keep the smelling salts."
As the humble fae spoke and the shadows began to waft forth, Dorian murmured, "Extraordinary... yes, yes, I fly. I have wings ...sometimes. It came to me since I moved to this isle. I had to practice landing longer than I care to admit." Dorian didn't always see himself as a winged being but he also did not spend so much time behind the veil, nor imagining himself as anyone fantastic. Being a Windgrace without the magic educational focus still meant money and leisure.
[12:10] Dinah brightened further as Eli began to actually speak, jigging a little excitedly on the spot.
"I can promise you, we will never be afraid" she reassured him with another bright smile. Dorian's words about flying had her nodding sadly. She had yet to master landing yet. "I still need to finish working on mine. When I am done...we ought to go flying. We can hold straps and take Drystan with us too if he likes so he isn't left out" she said playfully. "I think i will be far better without such large wings as i had before. they were simply exhausting, so heavy." she sighed. "A lesson learned, I suppose. Dorian, darling, don't you think drystan willl be interested in flying machines for the fleet? I had wondered if it might be possible to try and sponsor Eli's scholarship in some manner. I do not ever want his learning to be impeded by money"
[12:19] Eli is magic. He is a fae creature born of stardust, the cold void of space, and the twinkling lights of burning stars. He is all of that and nothing more than a pixie, the least of all the fae. Taking some faith in the words that these two are offering him, he allows his glamor to fall still further. The suggestion of a shift fades to reveal a chest baredm but writhing with shadows – skin an iridescent sheen that sparkles in the light of the room. But what is most breathtaking are the wings, their delicate appearance and sheer membranes reflecting the light in an oil slick of color, dust falling like stars from them with every flick and flutter. He extends them and glances back over his shoulder to critically examine them. They are merely serviceable to him. “I surely hope I am not so frightening.” This stated to Dorian., “But if you would like a companion in flight, I would surly love the company. Have you ever raced?” and here – there is an impish glint in his eyes. That near childish joy that
comes when he is passionate about a thing. He nods at Dinah and suggests, “I can show you how I land. And you can learn without actually flying. It takes more strength here.” His fingers briefly settle on his stomach, the core muscles. When the conversation diverts back to airships he gives Dorian an ever so hopeful look. He wants to learn and create. The hope is clear there upon his features, but also.. the slight wince like he is expecting to be shot down. His wings curl in about him – he is unaware, but it is a protective gesture. He does not truly expect the support.
[12:25] Dorian needed a moment to stop noticing his jiggling sister to really take in her words. But when he did he was already nodding before he began to reply in his urbane purl, taking the time to note the changes in Eli's appearance with visible interest and fascination lofting up blond brows, "Even if he does not want us carrying him, I am sure Drystan would be interested in flying machines, and I know that so worthy a student as our friend here should be unimpeded by finances. The future is surely in flight. And mine in particular is in flying a race with a natural." Even athletic Dorian hadn't quite the cut abs of a lifetime flier, but he was getting there, balancing some of his shoulder-heavy strength that made his sword arm so lethal with better mobility in the air. Not having been at it a year he was still game for testing his abilities, and could think of no better adversary than someone who offered a true challenge.
[12:28] Dinah let out a soft 'ooh' of delight as the glamour dropped and she stepped in closer. "Do you mind if I examine your wings a little, friend? So I know what to do right by mine? I shan't touch, only observe." she asked with a similar sort of hopefulness. she reached out and tried to capture one of the little sparkles that drifted from his skin between her fingers, finding the glittering dust on her fingertips as she opened her hand. She beamed towards her brother as he confirmed her thoughts and she nodded excitedly.
"This fog would be only a slight bother to a flying ship, i'd imagine. See, Eli? We shall see your ideas realized" she grinned, clasping her hands together. "I shall talk to drystan. if nothing else, I shall ask for your funding to be my birthday present or something. it shall be done."
[12:33] Kairixian Moonshadow entered chat range (11.00 m).
[12:36] Eli jah blinks in surprise. Here he has not only had his needs for the education he has so craved fulfilled, but also the funding for his passion project. His lips part in a soft O of surprise and for a moment all he sees is stars twinkling about the twins. They are giving so much to him. Offering the pixie more than he has ever dreamed possible. The emotion wells within him again and his eyes grow suspiciously bright. But before a tear can be spilled – Dinah is asking to examine his wings. He hesitates but a moment before nodding and turning so that his back is to her. The delicate membranes are then stretched out – and there is a visible twitch and pull of his musculature as they are displayed for her. Now, with him concentrating, they still and only the slightest of quiver indicates the need to flutter. “I feel .. that you are giving me much. You are offering me a lot. And you do not know everything that there is to know of me.” He pauses, lips pursing as he stares to the other side of the room,
trusting Dinah and her brother at his back.
[12:42] Dorian was content to let his sister go to drift toward Eli. He kind of wanted to do the same, but some people started to get weirded out with both twins paying them such close scrutiny at once, the past had taught him. Not that it always stopped him. Just now though he was content from where he stood to peer at the shimmering truer nature of the man... ...who was turning to show off the wings. Dense as he could sometimes be, Dorian noticed the surprise, the awe and embarrassed gladness that accompanied patronage, and felt it was his place to remark, "Your work could help us too, you must remember. Can we not trust you to tell us everything we need to know? Is there a terrible price to pay for helping you that will require the payment of a firstborn or something like it?" He was already laughing at the absurdity of such a proposition before he finished speaking and it continued after.
He would pick right back up and explicate to his sister, "Blimey, there is just every shade of blue in these wings, is there
not?"
[12:45] Dinah bobbed her head and she leaned in closer to examine his wings, particularly the connective muscles at his shoulders.
"The world keeps turning, Eli, and the greatest way of staying ahead of the curve is to invest in the future. you are a part of that future. If someone wants to learn, then you should nurture that, I believe" she spoke thoughtfully, making a few mental notes and an occasional nod. "your wings are really lovely" she added after a moment, nodding eagerly at Dorian's words about the shades of blue contained in the shine.
"one day i would love an eyeshadow that sparkles like your dust does, but that might be a little much for me to wear on my eyes" she grinned, but she nodded towards Dorian again.
"he raises a good point, you know. Helping you in turn helps us. Helps many people, actually, but regardless. As I said. None other wanted to learn, but you. if any deserve the opportunity. As long as dori says, it doesn't become a situation where we will need to make some faustian pact, or
something similar."
[12:54] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Put in that light, Eli understands how he could in fact help this family quite a bit. He will get to build his ships and they? Will have speedy airships to sail their goods across the sea instead of being dependent upon the waters below. He humms softly, considering this then glances over a shoulder toward them when they state that they do not want to make a pact of their first-born child or something off he cuff like that. It makes him smile at them though, eyes glinting with humor. “I am no Sidhe with great designs.” A pause, “I like to play, but what need have I for a babe?” A shake of his head follows and motes of his dust fall free with the gesture. “No. I am more concerned about the ah..” he thinks for a moment, “Baggage that comes with me. I would not want you harmed for not knowing of .. my past.” He grows progressively quieter as he speaks, tone losing that lilting quality. This is not a subject he is comfortable with. He keeps himself turned away to hide the unease. The shame. “I
do not understand why no other student wanted to learn. You are brilliant, professor.”
[13:00] ᴄᴀᴇʟ entered chat range (11.99 m).
[13:03] Dorian knew his blues, as a sailor from sky and sea. And on that authority he spoke, as well as others he stood firmly secure in, "Remarkable as it is vari-coloured, this azure is outstanding. You could wear the colour." Silently he spoke to his sister, "<You make every colour beautiful.>"
He cut his eyes to Dinah as the fairy mentioned his baggage, as ever, looking to her lead in such things. He could at least mutter an assurance to the man, as he fell into looking at those wings once more, and looking at her looking at them, "Baggage, well, we all have a bit of that. I know mine could fill the attic if I let it. Babies, on the other hand are in short supply around here."
[13:04] Dinah smiled again and she stepped backwards, satisfied with her observations and that she would know how better to position and establish her own wings. The fluttering was noted too, idly wondering if she would feel the same inclination to flit and flex her wings? She pondered his words and she shook her head.
"Honestly I cannot imagine you have any such baggage that would give us too much pause, darling." she said gently. "I think we can cope with most things. If there is an immediate risk to life and limb of us, then we would prefer to know in advance, of course, but otherwise, I cannot see that it would be that much of a bother" she waved away dismissively, though she preened a little at his praise, grinning at her brother. "I should try and see if i can get my eyes that shade. When my vision returns, of course"
[13:10] Quin Li (riven.rowe): Released from the examination, Eli;s wings do in fact flutter, flitting about and lifting him from the ground an inch or so before allowing his to settle again. It seems holding so steady too real effort! He turs about to look between the two then shakes his head once. “Oh, no. I doubt that you are in any danger. Me though.” he contemplates this uneasily, “I escaped .. captivity a while back. I do not believe that the person who had me would be happy that I am free and not passed on as I believe that they expected me to be.” A glance is sent between the two and there is a fear in him, his voice has shifted to a whisper almost. “I would not like to know what they would do if they found out. How they would react to any who stood by me.” He indicates them with his hands, palms up, “I would rather be forgotten.”
[13:18] Dorian 's chivalry was called on and his belief that thralldom was wrong. So he'd answer quickly and with conviction, "Anyone is welcome to try to separate you from your freedom, but they will be met with failure." As if indicating what that meant one hand had curled into a fist, though he contained only fractions of the rage in the moment that he'd shown the night of that fateful party. After he'd made such a vow, he'd look to Dinah this time, having jumped ahead of the taking his measure of how to reply from her.
[13:19] Dinah canted her head to one side and she shrugged her shoulder. "So you have proven you have tenacity. most do not. Let them come. if someone has a problem with our support, i would be very happy to reiterate that it is absolutely none of their bloody business who we choose to sponsor" she smiled cheerfully, gesturing to her twin with a giggle.
"Dorian was sworn as a knight once, dear. He takes such statements very seriously. We do not shirk from those who are aligned with us if things become...difficult" she stood on her tiptoes again, folding her hands around dorian's fist and smooching his cheek once more to calm him again.
[13:22] Aden 'Bastard' Smith left chat range.
[13:26] Eli is very sensitive to anger, even when it is not directed his way. Dorian’s conviction is startling, it pulls a chirp of sound from the pixie and then a flutter of wings and dust. The startle lasts but a moment though the pixie boi’s body remains tense and poised. The last time there was tension he had shifted into his smaller form and flown from the room, fleeing from the violence that was a promise in the air. Now, it takes a moment, but he slowly relaxes, and the tension spills out of him. Di’s words are also calming and he takes a slow and steadying breath as she reaches out to slip her hand about Dorian’s fist. “I cannot state that I am not appreciative of your willingness to stand by me, regardless. If I am recognized, I will surely let you know so that you are not surprised by any .. repercussions.” He pauses, purses his lips then sighs, “They never knew me in this form, however. Only as my smaller self.” So he does not think he /will/ be recognized.
[13:30] ᴄᴀᴇʟ left chat range.
[13:32] Dorian was cosseted back to calm by his sister's knowing hands and lips. His fist-clenched hand relaxed and his voice lost the cold edge it had borne moments before. His grin even resurfaced, and the tension in him melted on the way to going positively mild in the wake of her ministrations. He nodded agreement to his sister's words several times while she spoke. Dinah knew just how close her twin resided to his emotions and how to gentle him down from his aggressions. He noticed the effect he had on their guest and once more he'd offer, "My apologies, I mean you no harm. Before I knew we were to be friends, I knew you were my sister's. I would protect you as such, and should the need arise, I hope you will tell us."
He stopped just shy of describing what would happen then, because he'd learned, dense though he was.
[13:36] Dinah remained at her twin's side, keeping her hands on his. She had no doubt that without anything kindling the fury it would dissipate soon enough, but she knew how gentle and shy Eli was. She squeezed his hand again and she giggled, bobbing her head in agreement.
"See? we take things like that very seriously. Have faith, dear eli. We might seem as though we rush into things blindly but such concerns will always be listened to and considered." she nodded earnestly. "Consider the offer, and I shall speak to our elder brother and the holder of the family business upon his shoulders. I will let you know as soon as I know" Dinah promised. "..though knowing drystan, it might come at the cost of another few jars of dust or two" she added with an amused smile.
[13:46] Eli offers Dorian a tentative smile and considers the man a moment – quietly contemplating his demeanor and the way his anger melts away nearly as quickly as it had formed. Eli is slow to anger but he burns out just as quickly. He prefers the careful approach to life and really just wants peace so hat he can fill his days with discovery. He inclines his head to the twins and gives them a grateful smile. “Thank you. I am .. prone to flight.” He admits, “I am very squishable. I just try to stay away from things that .. might. Squish.” His eyes drop to Dori’s hand, the fist loosened in his sister’s grip. “Some call it cowardly. I call it survival.” He glances up and offers a lopsided smile, wings fluttering behind him. Dinah’s words brighten his expression and he nods though the cost of the assistance draws a laugh out of him – and perhaps another blush. He remembers the way Drystan had looked at him when he realized what, exactly he was. The request for his dust hat day he eased
Roseler’s pain with the rainbow glitter. Clearing his throat gently, he murmurs, “Y-yes. I think I can manage that.”
[13:53] Dorian pointed at Eli the moment he was done saying he might oblige with more of the substance, and realized, late, "RIGHT! The dust, y--you are made of stars. I remember! Intoxicating stuff this... small wonder you are not accompanied by teeming thousands just wanting the merest whiff."
Rather than speaking on fighting over flighting, or squishinesses he'd just let his grin go rueful for a moment before it returned to its former contentedness. "All of that to say, of course, you offer us plenty enough to consider our entanglement mutually beneficial, I hope." Dorian's presiding effect on his countenance when held close to his sister was one of pure bliss, so big grins, easy laughter and all tension gone from the tells around the nose and eyes, in the shoulders. If anything the dust he'd inhaled since he'd arrived only heightened her effect.
[13:56] Dinah tittered again and she nodded at Eli's words. "I think that if i hadn't grown up with two very competent, capable brothers I would be more cautious too. As it happens, I am fortunate enough to live more recklessly" she smiled again at the talk of the dust.
"you can refuse that much if it displease you. I could certainly not want you to feel...like a commodity" she said thoughtfully, smiling up towards Dorian again.
"...did you not wonder why darius was licking him, darling? it's the dust. it's probably all over the place again. I shall have hoshi deal with it so poor mr. song doesn't have a fit" she laughed. "gracious though, if you had turned your mind to selling it you could have probably done away with the need for our assistance altogether but i can imagine that would be far too much of a bother with people hounding you all the time"
[14:05] Eli scrunches up his nose gently at the idea of selling his dust. Not every pixie can produce it – and when they can, they are often hunted and caged.. He is done with cages. “I would rather not make the fact that I can produce it known. People tend to get greedy which ends badly for pixies like me. They like to lock ‘comedies’ up.. and we have already discussed my aversion to that situation.” A hand is lifted to tug at a lock of hair and he shrugs. Dorian’s recognition gets him a smile though, violent eyes twinkling with that humor again. He does look about though and then offers an abashed sort of look to Dinah, “I apologize. I am always shedding the dust. I can’t seem to leave any place undusted.” Or cold. The temperature in the room they are in is likely several degrees cooler than any other room. Eli carries an artic frost with him – restrained of course. “Is the cat’s name Darius?”
[14:15] Dorian didn't mind the bit of cool, given how hot he ran. Given how close he was stood to his twin as to share the well of his body heat with her. Along with his smelling of horse sweat. Not quite close enough, but perhaps there'd be time for that later. He'd also never minded any intoxicant come his way. And he had the answer to the Darius quandary so straight away he'd explain, "I called him that when I met him, as he did not offer any other. Even when he revealed he could speak. I would not be surprised if we find him on the roof if he licked poor Eli."
[14:18] Dinah kept her hand on dorian's even after the need to quell his anger had gone. She smiled towards Eli though and she nodded. "well. Freedom roams this island, in given corporeal form. I should think there will be far less risk of you being captured and put in any sort of cage now, love." her words were strangely confident in that regard. She hummed and shrugged at the question of the cat's name. "he has several, he said. he likes new names. he asked us for a name that began with a D, like ours. Dorian coined Darius" she nodded in confirmation to her twins words. "I mostly just call him Darling" she added with a smile. "though you needn't apologize for something you cannot help, dear. it'd be far, far different if you were doing it on purpose but that is quite inaccurate" Di winced at the idea that the kitty might be on the roof, blind eyes turning to the ceiling.
"...if he is, you'll have to get him down. there's no way i'll get up there"
[14:23] Eli is intoxicating! In that party drug sort of way. He snickers a soft laugh at the thought of Stray up on the roof, ready to call off and his wings flex as the humor rolls through him. “I’ll check before I head back to the Esher house. If he is up there, I am sure I can tempt him into jumping down. Carefully.” And then he realizes how silly that sounds. Convince stray to be careful? He would probably just pounce on him and lick him again. But the switch in topic makes him think of the time. “I should return soon, actually. The lady hired me to keep her home cool. She has a strange illness where ins she is ever burning with fever.” He pauses, contemplating this, then shakes his head. “Thank you for having me over. You have made my day, nay, my week.”
[14:30] Dorian listened to the sister and the guest in turn with a resting grin upon his face. That grin even expanded while each of them spoke until it broke open to toothsomeness. He explained, warmly, "He walked into my room like he was the emperor of the place, this great large white cat, so I named after a great one. If you are going, please take care though it is a short walk and do not be a stranger for I had a glad time speaking with you and my sister this day. I count you as a friend, Eli. Worry not about Darius, I shall see to him if he is up there, I need the practice. Let us meet to race, if I can steal you from your studies for an afternoon. Rarely have I seen Drystan deny Dinah so... surely your studies can continue apace..." Rather than breaking off from his sister to get the door as he usually might, he thinks better of any sudden movements around the sometimes skittish fellow.
[14:33] Dinah made a dubious noise in her throat "i think if he WERE up there, I daresay we would have heard him by now. he's VERY loud when he wants to be. Be careful if he is up there though. he might jump on YOU to get down" she prewarned him and she nodded again when Eli said he ought to head back,
"you are forever welcome, dear one. Come by whenever you please, you are forever welcome to my library" she gestured to the bookcases with a friendly smile. "I will speak to drystan about it when i find him in a fine mood for entertaining my whims." her smile turned impish towards her brother "but I shall get him. I certainly shall"
[14:40] Eli offers the both of them an easy smile and though he might not be aware of Dorian’s restraint, he would surely appreciate the consideration if he knew. “I would love to fly with you and do so daily. A race would be amazing, You will see why I am eager to enhance speed.” He offers a brief dip of a bow, a gesture from a distant time, then folds his wings more closely about him as he turns to depart. “Remember, Professor, to lay down if you eat those cookies.” An impish smile is shared and then he is stepping into the foyer and then out the front door, steps light. The cool presence leaves the room and there is an almost instantly noticed temperature shift. (Dinner time!)