The New Zodiac Braves

*Lilith offers her hand as well. Behind them, Euryale shouts & waves emphatically with the arm Mortal isn't clutching. Again, she gets strange looks from those immediately surrounding her. Lilith looks around, confused that someone is blatantly shouting her name through a crowd. She gives a tiny wave back.*

L"(Hm. Maybe I shouldn't have assumed that she'd know what not to do.)"

*Meanwhile, Aroma, Taiyo, & some other stragglers arrive at the gate.*

<Why ever not? Surely they are aware that this is, at its core, a romantic function.>

*Cassandra shakes Zac's hand, and Safian Lilith's, but the pair step back when the see the two getting shouted at*

Safian:<Nice to meet you. You both seem cool.>

Taiyo: "They have a different idea of what's romantic. They'd rather go off in some cave looking for treasure or a dragon. Or argue about something petty."

"I suppose that is one word to describe us," Zac said with a chuckle. He then turned to look as his sisters approached, "Good day to you all."

"Hello, Zac, Lilith," Sab said.

Noct pointed at Cassandra and Safian, "Friends of yours?"

"Not quite," Zac said, "We just met."

*Lilith looks Euryale up & down. Then she asks the dreaded question, "How do I look?"*

L"Well, uh, you certainly seem, um, that is that I remember that dress from yesterday, & it was definitely a fine choice then."

E"Thanks, Lilith. Your dress is still lovely, as well."

*Lilith breathes a sigh of relief that Euryale interpreted her rambling as a compliment.*

<Are they taken with some madness?>

*At the door, Aroma spies the other group. She does a double-take at Mortale, but quickly shakes it off & tugs lightly at Taiyo's hand.*

<Never mind that, for now. There are some people I should like you to meet. I'd like to promise that you'll like them, but truth be told, most of these people are strangers to me, & the rest I know in name & reputation alone.>

*Cassandra waves to Noctis*

<Cassandra Terros and Safian Dorion. Nice to meet you.>

Safian:<I can introduce myself you know.>

Taiyo: "Um, okay."

Taiyo just follows along.

Noctis actually laughs at Lilith's answer, "Smooth, Lilith." She then looks over at Cassandra, "A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure."

Sab looked around and said, "Hm, I've never seen so many redheads in one place."

Zac looked around and found Aroma, "Ah, yes, I suppose you're right. Though three in a room isn't exactly a lot."

*Aroma holds out her hand.*

<I must confess I'm not sure who you 2 are, but it is very nice to meet you. Pardon me if I'm mistaken, but is that not Marquis Psyche & the Talea Sisters?>

"Yes, that is the Marquis, and yes, those are my sisters," Zac said.

Mortal looks to Aroma, "Oh, hello there. Is there something I can help you with?"

*Cassandra smiles but reminds silent, not wanting to interrupt the goings on*

<Oh, you are also of the House? My apologies for not knowing. My name is Aroma Zinginzer, & I'm the new Celebrant Head of the Department of Inquisition.>

*Lilith glares at the back of Aroma's head, but smiles when she turns in her direction. She goes back to glaring when Aroma turns back to Mortal.*

<I just wanted to introduce myself, & of course, my date, Taiyo.>

*She nods over to the girl she's presumably still holding the hand of.*

L"Huh. I wouldn't have expected you to admit that so openly."

<Well, why hide the gifts that the Gods bestow upon us?>

Safian:<I wouldn't have expected the it to be so progressive here. It's nice.>

Taiyo: "Hello..."

I wish the others were here.

"Zac Talea," Zac said, "It doesn't bother me that you don't know. My standing in the House is unique."

Sab smiled warmly at Aroma, then at Taiyo, "Hello. It is nice to meet you two. My name is Sab Rosa, by the way."

Mortal and Noct both seem a bit uncomfortable at the 'head of inquisition' thing, but smile as well. "I'm glad to see that the church seems to be in capable hands," Noctis said.

E"Hey there, Taiyo. I like your outfit."

<Well, it's funny that you should mention that, because I just came from the ceremony to choose the new High Confessor. He was an up-&-coming sort I don't recognize, but with powerful magicks. He had one of the fabled Zodiac Stones, & could even use it.>

*She looks at Euryale, who just about doubled over in shock from that information.*

<Is something wrong?>

*Safian and Cassandra looks confusedly at Aroma and Euryale*

Taiyo: "Um...thank you. Yours is nice too."

Mortal put a hand on Euryale's shoulder, also a bit worried, but not voicing her concern because she would just be repeating Aroma's words.

Noct crossed her arms, "This new High Confessor, do you know his name?"

<I concur. Most would say that your garb isn't ladylike, but I've always liked women who aren't afraid to show their strength. That's why I rather hope that Lady Oaks will be in attendance today. May I?>

*She holds her hand out towards Euryale's upper arm. Euryale looks at it, a little confused.*

E"Umm...sure."

*So Aroma starts squeezing her muscles.*

<Very nice...in any case, I believe he introduced himself as Gregory. Lovely name, derived from a choir of angels.>

L"You mean...like a Seraph?"

<Well, not as esteemed, but yes.>

Safian:<Do you know this guy?>

Zac just let out a long, tired sigh, "I 'pray' that that's just coincidence."

Mortal wonders why some chick is feeling up Euryale, but doesn't really worry too much about it.

Taiyo just stands by knowing not a whole lot of what they're talking about.

<Why do you put that inflection on the word 'pray'?>

E"Uh, so, you're still holding my arm."

<Oh, terribly sorry about that. I just wanted to let you know that you look great. All of you do.>

*Aroma takes her hand away. Lilith crosses her arms.*

L"Is there something that you want?"

*Aroma looks at her, frowning.*

<I'm just mingling. I mean no offense, but you sound a bit hostile. Is everything not going well with your new position? I would be happy to devote resources, if you needed me to.>

"I do try incredibly hard to avoid praying for selfish reasons," Zac said.

Mortal was going to make mention of the prolonged contact, but Euryale beat her to it.