Bachelorette Auction

[Mynx]

Mynx and Patham wandered through the carnival, their heads close together in discussion as they made their way to the Conservatory.

"I'm sure it was here last time," Mynx insisted hesitantly, her eyes searching for any signs of the old posts that had disappeared beneath those of the more recent. Patham just shrugged and pulled a rolled up piece of parchment out from his shirt, trying not to trip over the small hoard of kitten minions that seemed enfatuated with the owl scent he carried about himself.

"We may as well put it here. The worst that can happen is that we get told to move it."

"Point." Mynx nodded as the two arrived at a vacant booth. Checking to see that it was in a public enough place for their liking, Mynx took the parchment from Patham and, with a wave of her paw, duplicated the message.

The two stuck one on each side of the booth, before they stood back to examine it.

"I think it needs a banner," Mynx mused, conjuring a large one as she spoke. Passing one end to Patham, the feline lept up onto the booth and with claws imbedded halfway up a supporting post, began securing one side.

Patham watched as the large feline climbed across the beam and attached the other side of the sign, before she leapt down to land gracefully beside the shapeshifter.

Surveying the display once more, the two nodded and went about their separate ways for the time being.

 

Beneath the large banner that proclaims the coming of the Carnival's Bachelorette Auction, the smaller signs read as follows.

That's right ladies, it's time once again to sign up for The Mighty Pen Carnival Bachelorette Auction! Bring along as many female personalities as you like so that our male population can bid for an evening (or a day) of your precious time. Signup closes two weeks from today so be sure to sign up soon!

[Sweetcherrie]

Yo! Signing up with Sweetcherrie and Dana here

 

Oh, and if I could get Stoomp in a dress would he be allowed to sign up? I think I heard him say something about wanting to join into the fun (just kidding)

 

(Sorry about the OOC, couldn't get into Sweetcherrie's head)

Edited May 29, 2006 by Sweetcherrie

[yochva]

{{Before I start with Evangeline, can I bring in some RP characters?}}

 

Evangeline leaned over to look at the sign on one of the tables. "Bachelorette Auction, thatta way =>"

 

"Hmmm... interesting." She stood up and slipped her hands into the hidden pockets at the side of her skirt, thoughtfully looking in the direction the sign pointed. A bachelorette auction... having never been nor participated in one, Evangeline was curious as to what exactly it entailed. Finally shrugging her shoulders, she said aloud to herself, "What's the harm? I do believe it would be amusing." She walked quickly toward the new booth, skirts rustling, before she got nervous and backed out.

[Sweetcherrie]

Yay! *hugs Evangeline*

 

Glad I'm not the only lady here anymore

 

And yeah, normally you could bring in RP characters *looks at the organizers of this activity* Mind if I explain? You can always correct me if I make mistakes

 

Basically you sign up with a character, or two, or even ten. Then once the sign up is closed you get a chance to present your characters to the bidders. If your chars are sold, (and normally they all are) you will start writing out dates for the people that 'bought' the date. So keep in mind, if you bring in ten characters...that's a looooot of dates to write.

 

*bounces* Am so glad to have you here

[Mynx]

It might be a lot of dates but you get a geld prize for each one written.

More on that later though.

 

And Sweet you covered the basics wonderfully

[yochva]

Great! Then I'll sign up with The Pen's Evangeline, Mea, and Rena'ah. Dunno if I should do my more anti-social characters...

 

 

EDIT: Not Mea, she's too blah to write a date for. So, the grand total is Evangeline, Rena'ah, and L'kaira. More manageable.

Edited June 7, 2006 by Evangeline

[Mynx]

Sign up as many as you want.

If they're antisocial it just means you're going to have fun writing them into a date

*poofs off to class*

[Mynx]

I'm gonna throw CheerMynx into the mix again as well...

Just because I can

[Annael]

Annael signing in for duty...erm...I mean a date! lol

[NightFae]

Signing up Fae for a date. Dun dun DUN.

 

 

And...I've decided to throw Alexa in here, just for kicks. 'Cause she's...Fun.

Edited June 7, 2006 by NightFae

[Patrick]

Patham rushing from one task to another bumps into the bachelorette auction and looks over the list of the participants. After shooting a questioning glance at Mynx, who simply shrugged Patham decided that action was needed.

 

"Come on ladies! Don't be afraid! Going on a date won't hurt you!"

[Venefyxatu]

OOC : Written in collaboration with Evangeline. Thank you!
It continues here

When the words "Bachelorette auction" reached his ears, Stephen stopped dead in his tracks with a muttered, "Uh-oh". Then, thinking of something, he made his way through the crowd with a vague smile, listening to conversations around him to try and determine the location of the booth.
Upon arriving where he thought the Bachelorette auction was being organized, he asked the first person he heard, "Excuse me, is this the Bachelorette auction?"

Evangeline was still wondering whether or not entering had been such a good idea when a deep and decidedly male voice startled her from behind. Evangeline turned around, wiping her hands on her skirt to dry them off and replied, "Yes, but... thou dost not look like a bachelorette...?" The man was not exactly tall and wore comfortable clothes in shades of brown and green. He had a pleasant, clean-shaven face with scar tissue surrounding grey eyes that stared at nothing.

Stephen grinned, "I don't? I'd better not sign myself up then." and proceeded to feel around for the quill and parchment. When he found it, he scribbled down a name and put the quill down again.

When Evangeline looked at the parchment, she could see that he'd written Tanuchan down.

"What game art thou playing?"

With a slight smile, Stephen answered.

"What in Fate's name makes you think I'm playing a game?"

"Well, thou didst not write thine own name down ..."

"Ahh, that ... let's say it's a surprise for a friend."

His grin was unmistakably mischieveous.

"I'm Stephen Hascodem, by the way. Would you still risk telling me your name now that you've seen what I do?".

Evangeline chuckled at Stephen and smiled. Whatever else he was planning, the man had succeeded in quieting her discomforts about having entered. "My name is Evangeline Heveta. It is a pleasure to make thy aquaintence, Stephen. Although, I must tell thee... whatever else thou art, thou ART the only man here!"

[Tanuchan]

I thought prudent to confirm that I'm in - I asked Vene to help me by writing a way to get Tanny into the Auction, since IC it's something she wouldn't be comfortable doing.

Edited June 9, 2006 by Tanuchan

[Appy]

Can Appy WildJoker and Apaltra still sign up? Whoever gets Appy will get Ptraci for free (possibly)

 

Oh and sorry for not role-playing this, would take too much time and I want in too!

Edited June 9, 2006 by Appy

[Alaeha]

Alaeha approached the booth and frowned. She still had a bit of coordination to get wrapped up before she could take Elrohir on the date she owed him... Still, it would be a shame not to participate if she were allowed.

 

"Hey Alaeha!" She spun to see Jirah standing behind her, Sephora perched on his shoulder struggling to hold back giggles.

 

"What're you doing?" Sephora asked.

 

"Just... considering." Alaeha temporized.

 

"Ok fine, what're considering?" Sephora stood up and hopped from Jirah's shoulder to Alaeha's. She looked up at the banner. "What's a 'batch-ul-or-ette'?"

 

"It's a fancy word for a girl without a boyfriend." Jirah gave the child a grin. "They're letting the boys around the pen pay money to spend an afternoon with them."

 

"Sounds like fun." Sephora nodded. "Can I play?"

 

Alaeha rolled her eyes, and shot Jirah a pleading look.

 

"Well, we can ask, but I've got to get going." He winked, and gave Alaeha a nod.

 

The half-elf sighed, and began to scribble a note on a loose piece of parchment.

 

Alaeha would like to participate if she is allowed despite still owing a date from a previous auction. Sephora, likewise, would like to participate if one of her age is permitted. -- Alaeha

 

(OOC: Haven't been able to get in touch with a Guild Leader who's solid on this, so I'm putting my name in anyway. If I'm disallowed, that's fine, and if I'm not that's good too.)

[Patrick]

Sign up is now closed!

 

Sorry for the non-rp-ness of this post, but I'm quite tired at the moment.

 

The following characters now need to be introduced by their respective owners so that those who shall bid know whom they are bidding on.

 

Sweetcherrie

Dana

Evangeline

Rena'ah

L'kaira

CheerMynx

Annael

Fae

Alexa

Tanny

Appy (+Ptraci for free )

WildJoker

Apaltra

Alaeha

Sephora

[Sweetcherrie]

The stars were twinkling merrily above, but Sweetcherrie didn’t feel so merry. She and Dana had been getting ready for their introduction, and though Dana kept saying that she shouldn’t worry, Sweetcherrie couldn’t help herself. She simply didn’t like being in the spotlight, and preferred being the one behind the screens. Plus, it was easily said if you looked as amazing as Dana did.

 

Her friend was wearing leather pants that span tightly around her thighs, but bellbottomed around her ankles. They were of perfect length, and worked open slightly around Dana’s ankles to show the high heeled ankle-boots she was wearing. The low cut pants showed her belly button, and for the evening Dana had adorned it with a small diamond that twinkles brightly. A black leather top covered her breasts, but the v-neck was so deep cut that the curves of her full breasts were clearly visible. All in all Sweetcherrie thought Dana looked absolutely stunning.

 

She looked in the mirror at her own outfit, and sighed. She fiddled with the long straps in front of the mirror, and sat down to do her hair up. The blue velvet of the dress hugged her figure, but compared to Dana she was so much rounder. Some called it more feminine, but Sweetcherrie only saw it as needing an extra workout.

 

The dress she had chosen was long, but cut open till halfway up her thighs. The back of the dress was cut low, and left Sweetcherrie’s back uncovered except for the few strings that kept the front part in place. The cleavage of the robe was deep, but covered her breasts decently. Under the dress she wore thigh-high, black stockings, and as she moved the laced edge was just visible through the split of the dress. For her feet Sweetcherrie had chosen for high heels with strings wrapped around her ankles.

 

She stuck a silver flower clasp in her blond curls, and put the silver pendant Gyrfalcon had given her for her birthday around her neck. The jewelry was simple, but she figured that it would bring out her neck nicely.

 

In the corner of her eyes she could see how Dana applied some make-up, and decided that she wouldn’t wear any. The audience would have to do with a ‘pur natur’ Sweetcherrie for that evening.

 

She heard the announcement for the introductions, and got up. Nervously she stroked a non-existent wrinkle out of her dress, and took a deep breath.

 

“Don’t worry hun, you’ll do fine.” Dana said with her velvet voice. Sweetcherrie felt how Dana slipped her hand in hers, and gave a thankful squeeze. Together they walked over to the stage, and stepped into the spotlight.

 

She smiled nervously, and saw how Dana showed a blinding grin to the audience. Then she heard a chaotic noise coming from one corner of the audience. A small dwarf was running over and hugging people on the way.

 

“Pretty ladies!”

 

Stoomp exclaimed, and wormed himself a way through the male members of the Pen community.

 

“Wanna hughughug!”

 

Somewhere in the audience she heard Wyvern’s voice reply, “Gotta paypaypay if you wanna hughughug….hmm…Almost Dragonic Bachelorette Hugs for sale, only 50 geld per hug!”

 

Sweetcherrie giggled, and the nerves disappeared slightly. She wondered shortly where the lizard would get these Bachelorette Hugs, and thought back to the date she had gone on with him.

 

Oh well, couldn’t get much worse than news rats she decided and let her eyes slide over the audience. When her eyes met the eyes she had been looking for she blushed, and quickly diverted her eyes to her feet. She breathed out slowly, and smiled as she looked up again and walked forward over the catwalk together with Dana.

[NightFae]

Fae bounced behind Alexa, waiting for the call for introductions. "Squeeeeeeeeee. Come on, hurry up. You're too sloooow."

The other girl turned around, a handful of bright blue hair being pulled back into half a set of pigtails. "If you want me to go faster, stop BUGGING me!" she stuck her tongue out playfully and turned back to the mirror to finish pulling her hair back. She had decided to go for a completely different look than she normally did, tonight. Actually...That didn't say much, as she had a different look everyday anyway...But still. She wore regular blue jeans actually tucked into her black leather heeled boots and a rather tight black tank top. She finished her hair and turned to Fae"Alright. Fine. Let's gooo." She said putting a black collar with a cross around her neck. A few last minute touches weren't bad.

Fae sighed"Okay...Now you're too FAST. Get your timing right...Gosh." She looked in the mirror to see a sight that didn't exactly please her. But oh well. The little green dress was really all she had. And it was glittery, too. She giggled"Shiiiiiiny," and kicked her feet just a bit, as, when she moved her feet, her fancy-ish black heels made noise. "Tee hee."

"MEEP!" she jumped as she heard the calls for introductions. She snuck up behind Sweetcherrie and leaned over to see past her, feeling waaaaaaaaaaay too short to see over her shoulder. She looked at everyone and followed Sweetcherrie out, half dragging Alexa out with her. Alexa pulled her wrist free from the little faerie and walkd out on her own, giggling at Stoomp and Wyvern. "Silly boys." She whispered to herself. "When will they learn?" She followed the others over the catwalk and ALMOST tripped...But saved herself. "Oops."She thought, turning about 7 shades of red.

[yochva]

Evangeline sat quietly in a chair, waiting for her turn to go out on stage. Ren'ah and L'kaira were not so calm - the former was pacing and the latter was fuming. Finally, Evangeline said simply, "Calm thyselves, 'tis not as bad as all that."

 

Rena'ah stopped and looked at her incredulously. "Now so bad? I can't decide whether to dress up or stay normal! I don't know any of these people, they'll be looking at us like we're MEAT, and BIDDING! What did you sign me UP for?"

 

L'kaira glared. **How dare you do this without my consent! There is no possible way I'm going to go out there and let them bid on my body.** She folded her arms obstinately.

 

Evangeline sighed and closed her book. "I thought 'twould be fun, and thou needst to relax and enjoy thyself; 'tis a Carnival - not a torture!"

 

L'kaira muttered something mentally, causing Evangeline to glance sharply at her and shake her head. A few other women preparing backstage looked curiously at the trio, one of whom seemed to be talking to herself. Evangeline turned to Rena'ah. "Dear, thou needst wear whatever thou thinkest is best. 'Tis up to thee how thou wanteth to present thyself, not I. Thou - and thou!" she injected, turning to the stone statue in the next chair, "art going out after tonight with one of those men, and thou shouldst at least TRY to enjoy theyself."

 

She stepped back and took a look at L'kaira. The girl was wearing a long black skirt of indeterminable fabric which swished and relected the light a bit when she moved. It swept to the floor, even over her three-inch black heels. Over her white shirt she wore a black overshirt, unbottoned, of the smae material as the skirt. She looked very put together, but... plain. The black and white washed out her pale purple complextion and dulled her black-purple hair. Evangeline stood in a rustle of skirts and went over to her. "Here." Se slipped a dark purple chain around L'kaira's slim waist, under the black shirt. The touch of color was just what she needed. Scowling still, L'kaira sat and waited. Evangeline turned on Rena'ah now.

 

"Before you start anything," declared Rena'ah, "I just want it to be known that this was NOT my decision - if the Village heard about this, they'd never let me live it down!" Picking up a few items, Rena'ah moved off to change.

 

Evangeline smiled happily, picked up the masses of fabric from the table, and said over her shoulder, "Don't wander, L'kaira, 'twill almost be our turn near the time we return." L'kaira grumbled mentally again, Evangeline laughed, and the corner settled into silence, until its occupancy was full again.

 

 

 

{{I'll introduce and describe Evangeline and Rena'ah in my next post, since doing all three together would result in an epic. I'm going to wait until a more experienced person speechifies (goes out on the catwalk) before I do. ^__^}}

[Mynx]

CheerMynx raced onstage, blonde hair and pompoms flying as she bounded down the catwalk and skidded to a halt at the end.

"Hi," she panted, "sorry...lunch break...like...got to get back to flying lessons...totally..."

Taking a few moments, the attractive feline composed herself and, smoothing down her hair and cheerleader's outfit, beamed at the audience and tried again.

"Hi! My name's CheerMynx for anyone here who hasn't, like, met me before and I've signed myself up for the bachelorette auction again cause I like so totally had so much fun the last time! So that means that anyone out there who thinks they'd like a date with me, just totally bid your geld, okay?"

Smiling widely, the feline checked her watch, spent a few minutes trying to figure out what time the hands were pointing at, and after finding she still had a few minutes, decided to use them for her own means...

"Also, feel like, totally free to come and check out my Flying Lessons! I promise they will be super fun! But you gotta be in to play!"

Giggling, the feline did a typically cheerleader pose before bounding off the stage and racing back to her booth...

[Annael]

Her quill scratching quickly across the parchment, Annael was oblivious to the happenings of the pen around her. Absently brushing a butterfly away from her face, she continued her writings, ingrossed in the lives of her characters. Frowning as butterflies started to land on her page, her quill and all around her, Annael sighed and asked them what was the matter. Blinking in surprise, Annael quickly dropped her quill and stood up from the desk and looked around her.

 

"Introductions, now? Oh boy." Looking at her ink smeared fingers and skirt, Annael realised that she was a mess. Rushing over to the sideboard in the room, Annael quickly went to work removing the ink from her fingers. Turning around, she looked at the swarm of butterflies flying around the room. Some were going through her closet, others tossing shoes about the room and more still sorting through ribbons and jewelry. Finally, her little friends had decided on what she was to wear. A floor length red dress drifted on the wings of butterflies towards her, as other started to undue the laces of her current attire. Giggling as the wings tickled her skin, Annael quickly changed her clothes. Shoes were passed over in favour of her bare toes, and a simple silver cross on a silver chain floated over to her. Lifting her hair off her neck, she helped the butterflies fasten the necklace then quickly fluffed her hair. Butterflies flew into her face, making her eyes close as they brushed their wings across her eyelids, her cheeks and softly across her lips. As they withdrew, Annael looked in the nearby mirror to see that they had used the powder on their wings to add color to her face. A slight pink highlighted her cheeckbones, a darker red across her lips and a mixture of silver, black and grey on her eyes. The color specialists, fluttered around her, making final touchups before settling delicately in her curls. Shaking the skirt of the dress down to make sure her bare toes were hidden, Annael took a deep breath and rushed out of the room and through the keep.

 

Standing off stage, Annael waited as CheerMynx finished her introductions, pom poms waving around wildly. As the biders clapped their approval, Annael smiled as she walked on stage and winked as CheerMynx went racing past her. Walking to the edge of the stage, Annael smiled as her butterflies ruffled in her curls, making them seem alive.

 

"Teeth, evil little teeth!" Annael heard Wyvie whisper to the males around him. Annael shook her head a little and two butterflies flew out of her curls and drifted lazily through the air towards the Almost Dragon. Giving a little shreak, Wyvern tried to hide behind Gyrfalcon. Sighing, the ranger rolled his eyes and took up a protective stance infront of Wyvie as the butterflies landed softly on Gyr's shoulders, fluttering their wings at the overgrown lizard. Shaking, Wyvie turned his eyes up to Annael in suplication.

 

Laughing at his antics, Annael turned her attention to the rest of the audience.

 

"Hello everyone. For those of you that don't know me, I'm Annael. For those that do, I hope all is well with you and yours." As she spoke, variously butterflies floated off her person and into the crowd, brushing across noses and cheeks of the men, making some blush, some smile and some frown in irritation. As she continued speaking, she heard some of the men closest to the stage laughing lightly. Smiling and looking around to see what was causing the amusement, she felt the skirt of her dress rustle. Looking down, she realised that some of her friends had decided that they would show that she was barefoot. Frowning, Annael shook her skirt, making it flutter wildly, butterflies flying off the hem and into the air. Waving her hands at the little insects, Annael tried to shoo them off. They fluttered around her head and started to lift her curls up and around. The men started laughing more. Putting her hands on her hips, Annael started to tap her foot in frustration.

 

Peredhil and Gyrfalcon looked at eachother and tried to hide a smile. The Pen's angel was starting to get annoyed.

 

"Yes, well, before my friends decide to make even more of a spectical of me, I will bid you all farewell. Happy bidding gentlemen." Smiling at the crowd, Annael performed a deep curtsy, rose and began walking off stage. Her curls waving goodbye to the men thanks to the butterflies, and the hem at the back of her red gown lifting slightly to show her bare feet barely touching the ground as she made her exit.

Edited June 12, 2006 by Annael

[yochva]

Evangeline returned to the corner first, careful to keep her wide skirts away from the other changing tables. She was glad to see L'kaira still there, and resigned to the fact that she would always be scowling. As she sat back down again, she saw Rena'ah returning also, and smiled widely - the other had decided to dress in one of her better town outfits. She saw Annael returning from the stage, and realized it was their turn.

 

"Come, 'tis our turn to look pretty and show ourselves off!"

 

The lights blinded her for a second, but she got used to it quickly. She took one step out on stage, then remembered something and twirled around in place to whisper, "I first, then Rena'ah, and last L'kaira, all right?" The other two nodded, one nervous, the other bored.

 

As she walked down the catwalk, her dark purple brocaded gown rustled against the layers of petticoats, and pure white lace peeked from beneath the hem with every step. Her slim waist was encircled with a bright silver chain set with small purple garnets. The end of the chain hung down from the center of her waist, almost to the floor, and at the bottom was a much larger teardrop garnet, nearly two inches long. At her wrists and neckline were bands of dagged lace, creating focal points against the monochrome of the dress. Evangeline smiled, waiting until she reached the end of the catwalk.

 

At a measured point, when all eyes were on her, she shook her hair back away from her face, drawing attention to it and the purple garnet drops in her ears and at her throat. Her hair was as magnificent as the dress was expensive, beautiful in its simplicity. It was released from its usual braided bun, and fell gleaming to the center of her back. Evangeline had spent some time working with it, making it special. Her stash of bobbypins was much depleted, as was her bottle of anti-frizz. The heavy mass was twisted around her head in a crown, with half loose down her back. She had recruited someone to help her gently curl it into waves. The twist was scattered with tiny garnets that flashed purple, and more on thin silver chains were woven amongst the rest of her hair.

 

She knew she was worth it. Now she had to convince all those men about it too.

 

"Good evening," she began, in a clear, measured voice. "I don't know how many of thee know'st me, so I shall introduce myelf. My name is Evangeline Heveta. As thou art able to hear - and see - I am NOT thy usual, run-of-the-mill woman. I enjoy time spent with intellectuals and those who appreciate a good joke. As well, I am new to the Keep. I do not know that many of thee... perhaps one of thee might be able to help me get my bearings and find my way around?" She cocked her head to the right in lieu of a wink. "'Twould be much appreciated!" Surveying the crowd again... looking for a few in particular... Evangeline swept a deep curtsy and rose with a slight blush, turning to walk smoothly back to the dressing rooms. She feared that she might have gone a bit overboard there at the end...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Rena'ah greeted Evangeline with a nervous smile as she brushed at her skirt again. //No WAY am I going to able to beat that!// Needing to get her center back, she waved the next woman forward in front of her.

 

 

{{Since this is about how long all three will be, I'm going to do the others in separate posts. Is there any reason why I shouldn't?}}

[Alaeha]

Alaeha nodded, and stepped forward with a wide smile on her face.

 

She wore not a dress, but a sleeveless robe. Made of a deep blue fabric, the robe would have been somewhat plain had it not been for silver embroidery which traced elegant patterns along the edgework. The back rose up almost high enough to touch her neck, while a pale blue sash pulled the front just tight enough to avoid any impropriety. The robe clung to her form, revealing an attractive, natural curve unexaggerated by her attire. It flowed down to stop just above her ankles, revealing a pair of silvered white dancing slippers.

 

She strode easily down the stage, taking in her audience. Some of these she hadn't seen in months or years, and some were new faces altogether. Wyvern was still staring mournfully toward the backstage, where Evangeline had disappeared to, when Gyrfalcon ribbed him to call his attention back to the stage.

 

"It's good to be back." Alaeha announced without preamble, "There are new faces here, and some familiar faces I've not seen in a while, so I'll follow Evangeline's example and introduce myself.

 

"I am Alaeha. I enjoy adventure, good conversation, good music, and the like. I'm not a proper wizard, but I've enough understanding of the principles to hold my own in casual conversation. As those who've been around for a while are already aware, I've changed a great deal since I left," She looked down at her hair momentarily, grinning wryly, "but I like to think that I'm, on the whole, a better person for it even if I liked blonde better."

 

She paused for a moment, and gave the crowd another smile before turning to walk back offstage with the same relaxed grace she'd walked on with.

 

Once offstage, she knelt down next to the child in front of her. "Alright Sephora, you go out and introduce yourself."

 

Sephora nodded enthusiastically and leaped out onstage. The tiny little girl wore a plain dark green vest with matching pants, and no shoes. She traversed the catwalk in almost a blur of handsprings, cartwheels, and flips that ended with her standing on her hands facing forward, out toward the audience.

 

"Hiii!" She giggled as she addressed the (to her view) upside down audience. "So 'laeha says I need to tell all you peoples who I am." She frowned. The people in the back wouldn't be able to see her like this. Then something familiar feeling lifted her up into the air

 

"Uhh, yeah" She continued, "I don't know why I'm floating, but is not me doing it. I'm Sephora. I like climbing things and jumping and bouncing and shiny things and sugary things and kitties." She paused for a moment. "Other furry things are nice too if they're soft an' stuff. Oh, and penguins. So if anybody wants to play with me, I guess that's why I'm here."

 

That said, she fell to the ground, flipping to land on her feet, and pranced offstage giggling madly.

[Tanuchan]

"Stephen, I swear you will pay dearly for this..."

 

Tanny smoothed the front of her dress, glaring at the Ranger.

 

"... but I never said I would bid in the auction, Wolf-Lady... I don't even think I have the geld for that..." Stephen Hascodem made his best innocent face. "I surely cannot beat any bids for you". He stepped aside just in time to avoid the pillow she sent flying at his face, and deftly picked it with his free hand.

 

"Thank you, I was really in need of a new pillow."

 

He heard the soft sigh, and the sound of Tanny plopping on the bed. He went to her, and pinned the corsage on her dress with surprising ease. He rested a hand on her shoulder, massaging it lightly.

 

"You will do fine, Wolf-Lady. And I am sure you look beautiful."

 

Tanny glanced at the mirror, and blushed as she saw how the dress modeled her perfectly, the bodice fitting tightly but comfortably while the long skirt flowed graciously. Her raven-black hair made a nice contrast with the lilac of the dress, and the white/lavender of the flowers. Stephen smiled, sensing her relaxing somewhat.

 

"Stephen, you will pay for this."

 

The ranger just grinned, offering her an arm that Tanny accepted with another sigh, and then they proceeded to the stage for the presentation.

 

Tanny blushed again as soon as she stepped on the stage, remembering too well the Beauty Pageant that had been Stephen's prank the last Carnival. I wonder if I would have done better as a wolf right now...

 

Looking at the audience, she shrugged mentally and spoke in a crystalline voice that carried far with smoothness and clarity.

 

"Most of you know me, either in this shape or as the black wolf who loves the Banquet and the Conservatory rooms of the Keep. I don't like talking about myself, but the pieces that you can find at both places should tell you something. I love the forest, and the water, both of which are my Elements. The rest... well, whoever wins the bid will find out."

 

She smiled, and left. Meeting Stephen at the foot of the stairs, she whispered to him while grabbing his arm to leave the stage premises.

 

"I guess I should be just glad that this time you didn't sign me up as a wolf, but I do swear you will get retribution later, dear Ranger. Now, let's see about your flying lessons, shall we?"

[Venefyxatu]

"Hmmm, as a wolf ... why didn't I think of that? I would've loved offering you my translation services again ..."

 

It cost some effort, but he managed to keep a straight face as he said that. Tanny ...

 

Tanny didn't even look at Stephen, but all of a sudden the spot his foot stepped on became a hole, and he lost his balance. As his instinct compensated for it, his other foot was caught by a small entanglement of grassroots and he ended up sprawled on the ground. With a grumble he got up, muttering, "That's the last time I offer you a favour." He couldn't hide his amusement, though.

 

"Oh?" Tanny made her best to keep the grin out of her face and voice, without much success either. And all of a sudden, Stephen felt wisps of air ruffling his hair, entangling it into breezy fingers that later tickled the nape of his neck before disappearing.

Somehow, Stephen also sensed a distinct Tanny-feeling behind the odd breeze, and blinked.She stopped, sudden cold running through her spine as she sensed both Stephen's surprise and something from inside herself quickly curling up in a hidden corner of her mind.

::Hm... Wolf-Lady...?

 

Stephen touched her arm lightly, not quite sure about what was going on, except that not everything was as it should be.

 

::Air... no, not possible. No.::

 

Stephen's light touch in both arm and mind dispelled her uneasiness somewhat, and she touched his hand.

 

::Later... for now, we both have flying lessons, and Air threads will possibly help ...::

 

The odd reference to Air did not go unnoticed to Stephen, and he nodded knowing that she would be back to it later.

 

As they moved on to their flying lesson, Stephen wondering whether he was the only one who saw his lack of wings as a problem and Tanny getting more and more curious about what CheerMynx' flying lessons would entail, they didn't notice that behind them, the next bachelorette had stepped onto the stage and started presenting herself.