[D4, EE] Toast of the Cage

[Thaddeus]

Feeling motivated, Thaddeus comes up with a plan to liven things up a bit. What these cagers needed was a good party, and who better to host it than the Society. All he needed to do was get the okay from a high-up and reserve some space. If the cards were stacked right, he might be able to snag the amphitheater and rope in some of his new acquaintances for a performance or two.

To this end, Thad seeks out Annali for administrative assistance with the planning.

[Illiam'iira]

Annnnd there's that drow girl again, humming a little song to herself as she wanders about. Cluelessly.

...yeah, she's probably always gonna be a Clueless here.

Illi's hoping she can maybe find the pretty celadrin lady she met before... and they can try looking up more supernal songs... that'd be nice... or maybe they could go out and get tea! That'd be nice, too! She doesn't even notice Thaddeus as she walks past him, just lost in her own little world of Possible Girl's Day Out.

[Thaddeus]

"Oh. Hey, Miss Illiam'iira." Thad calls out as he sees his tiny dancer acquaintance. "You're exactly one of the people I wanted to find. I'm hoping to host a big here party tomorrow. There will be lots of singing and dancing, food and drinks, and all kinds of merriment."

[Illiam'iira]

"You're exactly one of the people I wanted to find. I'm hoping to host a big here party tomorrow. There will be lots of singing and dancing, food and drinks, and all kinds of merriment."

She jumps practically a foot in the air, making a shrill sound before clamping a hand over her mouth as she turns to face him. Easily startled little beastie.

"Oh! Mister Thaddeus!" Illi squeaks out. "Hey! Party?" There's some confusion in her voice at that. "You wanna throw a party? What's the occasion?"

[Thaddeus]

"Uhhh, sorry 'bout that." He offers sheepishly. "Didn't mean to startle you." Looking around to see if Annali was nearby, he takes a moment to chat with Illiam.

"Occasion? Does there need to be an occasion? Truthfully though, I thought with everything goin' on we were due for a little gaiety. Who better to provide it than the Society? Plus, it's kind of our month. You should absolutely come by. It's going to start around four past Peak, but feel free to stop in later. There's no tellin' how long it'll go. With enough interest, good turnout, some new experiences collected for the Sensorium, it might even last 'til the end of the month."

[Illiam'iira]

"Oh! Yeah, I can see how that'd raise everyone's spirits." She smiles. "I'll see if I can make it. A party sounds fun!" Her head tilts a bit though as she considers him.

"Are you doing okay, mister Thaddeus?"

[Thaddeus]

In response, Thaddeus also tilts his head, confused for a moment. It wasn't often that this type of question was asked, but of course Illiam was new to the Cage. Her soft exterior hadn't yet been hardened by the harsh reality of life here.

"Oh tiny dancer, 'tis very nice of you to worry. I'm doing just fine. I hope you are also okay.

This business with the Slaad and the Chaosmen... it isn't an everyday occurrence here, but it's also not so uncommon. My advice is to join a faction soon or find some other power to protect yourself. This is the best way."

He leaves a moment of silence for her to think on it before continuing on, "But for now, we shall put our minds to celebration. I was going to find you after this to see if you'd come and dance. Of course, you don't have to. You can just come and enjoy like everyone else, but Cornelius would miss his dance partner."

[Illiam'iira]

There is a brief flash of something behind her eyes, but it is gone just as fast as it appears. "Uhm --" She considers Thaddeus a moment, trying to judge him, or rather, how he will react if she speaks her mind.

(Mind if Illi Insights him?)

[Thaddeus]

"Yes? Speak your mind Illiam, I take no offense and rarely ever feel shame." He lets out a deep belly laugh along with his proclamation.

-----
Go right ahead.

[Illiam'iira]

"Yes? Speak your mind Illiam, I take no offense and rarely ever feel shame."

"I wasn't asking because of the slaadi," She finally pipes up. Soft and unsure, Illi sounds like she might dart away at any moment to hide like a scared little deer. "I -- uhm -- honestly, the slaad are new, but the precarity... isn't?" Her hands fold behind her back. It's hard to meet his gaze. "Where I come from, such things aren't uncommon, either. Honestly, Sigil's a lot more like home than most people here ever wanna admit. So it's a little... frustrating. Because everyone here seems to think Sigil's special. And it is, but in many ways it's not, and, that's the frustrating part. I might not know everything, but most people here don't either, and just 'cause I'm new doesn't mean I ..." Without meaning to an unhappy little weh escapes her. "I just. I wanted to know how you are, in general. I like you. We might not know each other yet, but we could."