Draiks and Angels: Survivor

24 - Party

There were only a few people around by the time they returned to the Aerie. They didn't know how to find the Steward, and they weren't sure what they would have told him anyway, so they just returned to their rooms and went to sleep.

They were awakened the next morning by none other than the Steward, Ezra, "The Archangel would like to speak with you both. Can you come now?"

He led them to another quadrant of the Aerie, on the first floor, and down a wide hallway. He knocked once on a door, opened it and led the pair inside. The Archangel was maybe in his sixties, with silver hair and blue eyes. He wore a purple button-up shirt and dress pants.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to meet with you until now. I'm Jacob, the Archangel of Mellifera Aerie."

"I'm Ava, Archangel of Primary Aerie and this is Tadeas, likely Primary Archangel."

"Yes, Ezra told me you were both Archangels. Besides finally introducing myself, that is why I wanted to talk to you. There is an event this evening. A sort of mingle for uppity-ups. There will be politicians there, businesspeople, religious leaders, that sort. I have been invited as the Archangel, and I thought that as Archangels yourselves, you would like to come."

Both Ava and Tadeas gave him such looks that he raised an eyebrow, "No?"

Ava gathered herself and coughed. "We, uh, have both come into our roles as Archangel rather... recently and it seems... incredulous that anyone would want to network with two nineteen-year-olds."

"Ah, but that's the best time! Get in on the ground floor, so to speak," Jacob said excitedly.

Ava and Tadeas looked at each other. Neither looked as excited as Jacob.

"And from what I hear, you have to wait a couple more days to talk to our Oracle, anyway. Why not spend some time with the locals?"

Ava considered that. None of the other activities Ezra had listed appealed to her, so maybe this would be a good time-waster. She raised an eyebrow at Tadeas. He rolled his eyes but waved for her to go ahead.

"Okay, we'll go."

"Great! Ezra said you didn't come with any luggage, so I'll have him take Tadeas to get a suit and we'll find a female to help you get a dress."

"Wait, a suit?!" Tadeas objected.

"It's a nice party. You can't go wearing that," Jacob gestured at the Draik's draped shirt and shorts.

"We'll make sure it's a casual one. No tie," Ezra assured.

Tadeas put his fingers to his forehead like it hurt.

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They flew to the party, even in their fancy outfits, because Jacob said it was expected that winged people would fly. Their clothes were designed for the wing-enabled, so they didn't tear or get rumpled. Tadeas wore a black suit with brown leather shoes and a light brown button up shirt. Ezra insisted he choose a pocket square, so he chose red as tribute to his normal shirt color. Ava wore a green cocktail dress with no straps or back, a shaped bodice, and a skirt that flared out and came to her knees. Jacob wore a blue suit with a white shirt and black shoes.

As the three walked into the building, Tadeas leaned over and whispered to Ava, "Green again?"

Ava blushed, "I like green, okay?"

They were some of the first people to arrive, but Jacob wasted no time introducing them to everyone there. Ava did her best to smile and be polite, while Tadeas just tried not to look too bored. When they were able to break away, they examined the tables with food, unsure if they could just take some or if there were social rules they didn't know.