(Budding Thorns) Gala Prep

[Mhairi Ankaa]

The Arden Fair mall stood tall, a hive of activity and a place both Mhairi and Sera had been to before. Already knowing the bounty of treasures that awaited them inside.

Easily they could find something appropriate for the gala that would have Robert Page in attendance, their prime suspect, a man (or Lost or something stranger) that had left a glamour woven tag on a billboard right outside of Funderland.

Mhairi, Dread Queen of Autumn didn't know if it was a sign, a greeting. A warning-threat. The uncertainty rolled around her heart, not so long ago the Wisp was the Director and those instincts didn't leave over night, even if the elemental voluntarily gave over the responsibility, and the stress to her kinda-motley mate.

"Sera?" she asks the fairest at her side, another of her kinda-motley mates, "How fancy is this gala?" they needed to know what to aim for before they got to the meat of this trip.

[Seraphina]

Shopping! The Nix was in one of her natural environment’s, the mall, looking for the next amazing shirt or skirt to catch her eyes.

So while it still weighed on her what they saw, and what they would be shopping for, it didn’t show. There was a spring(HA!) in her step as they walked the mall, eyes constantly moving from outfit to outfit.

The lacy skirt she was wearing flowed around her long legs, natural height increased by a good four inches from her heels. See? She always dresses to look good! You never knew who you would run into.

“Hmm?” she asks, clearly distracted from something that caught her attention. So she pauses to think,

“Oh. I don’t think it will be black tie fancy, and certainly not jeans and tank top casual. So maybe a dressy pant suit or business type look. I was thinking of a suit, but with some added flair, cause, well, I like flair.” She was a Fairest and would always dress to impress. “I’m sure we can find something, no worries. We got this.” She added with a wink.

[Mhairi Ankaa]

Mhairi almost walks into him. No. She almosr brushes past him, fell-flames slipping over his form. Not quite registering him as she chats away with the Fairst next to her.

It's the chill of Winter that arrests her attention. Slight but present. New but familiar, for a moment Mhairi thought it was Quick.

Instead of her fellow Elemental she sees a featureless face, the light touch of Winter upon him(?) while noting the hoodie doing him no favors in archiving recognition...but that was probably the point.

....and he(?)'s waving. Gods. Feels like a tool.

"Hi," stilling as they close the distance. "Mhairi," waving, "Sera," she points to the Nix, fell-flames linger even though the wisp prefers men.

The dichotomy between a Spring and a Winter has never been so evident before.

[Seraphina]

The Nix was pulled out of her thoughts, mostly browsing store windows and trying to find that one amazing piece.

Sapphires blink a few times, trying to find who Mhairi was talking to, and she almost looked over the guy(?). It was hard to tell, the face was featureless, obviously a Lost.

But not one she’s ever come across. Well, that she can remember. He was easy to overlook.

Time to be friendly, so a smile forms, “Hi.” Comes the angelic voice. “You new in town?” it was all that came to mind.

[Mhairi Ankaa]

The wisp stares, fell-flames flickering as the murcury shapes, changes with the Winter's needs. For a moment Mhairi's attention is held by the ever present dripdripdrip of the quicksilver of her fingers, burning away before the droplets could spatter.

Mhairi shakes her head, the leaden leaves shutter as if an unseen wind whips through them, bringing forth the scent of a forest on the onset if Winter, all death and decay. In opposition to her mantle's obvious allegiance, strength and Title if it had been known, Mhairi smiles, and waves it away.

"It's okay, the mall's a busy place. Our fault for paying to much attention to the displays." a quick look is exchanged with Sera, before re focusibg on the shy Winter - a shy Winter! Mhairi knows that's more the stereotype, but in Sacramento a Winter like him is a rarity. "So, John, are you just passing through, or are you planning to stay?" important questions, she might not be in charge of the Freehold, or in a position to Acknowledge new arrivals anymore, but it never hurt to be cautious.

[Seraphina]

Startled was an understatement. But the Nix had to remind herself that Lost came in many forms, some not as common as others.

Her head shakes as well, a warm smile appearing, “No worries, like Mhairi said, we were engrossed in our shopping. So many wonderful displays, only so much attention.” She jokes.

And then the Wisp asks the important questions, so Sera simply listens and watches, curious as to what Johns answers would be. “Uh, did we maybe want to sit down and grab a bite to eat or something?” she asks, always in the mood for some good food.

[Mhairi Ankaa]

A nod, "It's been a while since we've had a new-um-guy around." fell-flames flicker in Sera's direction, "Before Autumn? Longer?" Mhairi wasn't sure.Thomas had arrived before the Equinox....but he'd also disappeared, breaking their Motely Pledge at the same time.

Mhairi swallows and bats away the pain.

"Tacos sound good." even if tm she wasn't in the mood for them. Like hell was she gonna let a new arrival put of her sight without getting a feel for them. "So, where're you from? I mean before here?"