Iris had found some wine, sipping alone as she stood to one side of the party, watching the dance floor from a distance. Her eyes flicked over Keelin and Cade, then she turned, walking slowly away from the lights.

Cade watched Keelin go, his tail flicking behind him in anticipation. Nodding to himself he looked around for Iris. It took him awhile but finally he saw her retreating form. Jumping into the trees(…oh cade) he soon jumped down infront of her. “..Oh you were…leaving early??” He asked brushing leaves off his shoulder. “…I…I was going to ask you to dance.”

Iris gasped as Cade dropped in front of her, a hand fluttering over her heart. “You startled me!” She smiled faintly, “I thought you were with Keelin.” She paused, “You really want to dance with me?” She asked shyly.

Cade winced slightly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I thought you had gone farther than you had.” He said a bit sheepishly. He held out his hand and smiled. “Yes I do…and I was with Keelin but she is asking Chert to dance. And I wanted to have at least one dance with you.” He said still smiling.

Iris watched him. “One dance…” She sighed, smiling back. “Very well, I suppose I should be happy to dance with someone tonight.” She held out her hand to him.

Cade took her hand gently and walked beside her. “I don’t see why you wouldn’t dance with more. You are a beautiful young lady as well.” He said with a genuine smile. “I cannot stay long and I’d like to dance with you at least one, so thank you.”

Iris blushed faintly, “Thanks Cade. It’s nice to know people appreciate my looks as well as my talents.” She looked towards him, then away. “Why do you have to leave early?”

Cade smiled, he was glad he could corner Iris finally! All week she’d been avoiding him for some odd reason. “…I just don’t want to get caught up and something happen..so I need to leave early to check on the barrier.” He said with a small nod, but smiled. “So I want to make the most of my time.”

Iris nodded, “Ah, I see.” She smiled, still avoiding his gaze as they came into the lights and towards the dance floor. “Will… the rest staying behind be safe inside the barrier with you gone?” She finally looked up at him as she stood in front of him on the dance floor.

Cade had his eyes on her the whole time, as if taking in every word. “…They will. I am making adjustments everyday. They tire me out..so…it has taken me all week.” Just thinking about it made him tired. Taking her hand in his he placed his other hand on her waist. “You really do look very lovely tonight.” He said with a smile.

She smiled back at him, blushing. “Thank you… you’re an amazing person Cade… I’m sure Keelin thinks the same.”

Cade laughed faintly. “I don’t know about that.” He said looking over at her for a moment. “I’m just myself with you both.” He said as he began to slowly dance. “…Where you are from, did you dance alot? Or no? I have never been to one of these. Well..not that I remember” Was he contradicting himself? He couldn’t remember.

Iris flushed, looking away. “Qasala… But no, I’ve never danced before.” She said, though she danced quite well regardless. “Not like this at least.”

Cade watched her with a small smile. “..Well you are quite good if you ask me.” He said cheerfully. He looked over at the others and chuckled. “Will you be asking anyone else to dance?”

Iris glanced furtively at Lei, then back at Cade, shaking her head. “No… not really. I’m not used to this… I…” She trailed off, and looked down, smiling half-heartedly.

Cade watched her and pulled her a little closer. “..It’s okay then. I’m glad you did me the honor of dancing with me.” He smiled and put his hand on her chin to lift her head up. “..Thanks.” He smiled and continued to dance with her, twirling her once.

Iris blushed deeply as she looked up at him, “I…” She felt feelings well up, and could not continue, just hugging him close. “No..” She said, leaning her head against his chest. “Thank you.”

Cade flinched slightly, he was really good at making people open up it seemed. Hugging her gently he moved the hair from her face. “…Its okay.” He said softly as he turned away from the others. “Would you like to sit? Get a glass of water…or..maybe go on a walk?”

Iris just nodded, letting Cade lead her. She felt… vulnerable around him.Why? Was it like this for Keelin too?

Cade looked back at Keelin for a moment before leading Iris to one of the farther tables. “Stay here. I’ll get you a glass of water.” He said with a smile before rushing off.

Iris smiled and nodded, taking a seat as she watched the dancefloor for a bit, then sighed, rubbing her face. She wondered what Cade would say if he knew her past.

Cade made his way to the dancefloor with the water and smiled to Keelin. “I regrettably have to leave the party for a small amount of time. Iris and I must speak okay?” He pulled out a cookie and bowed holding it. “I hope you’ll take this for now?”

Keelin giggled as she saw the cookie, taking it and smiling. “I think for a spirit cookie I’ll be okay. Thank you Cade.”

Cade bowed once more. “I’ll try to not take a long time.” He winked then walked off to Iris. Sitting beside her he set the glass down. “Once you drink this we can walk if you feel up to it.”

Iris smiled, nodding as she took the water. “Thank you Cade.” She glanced at the people mingling now, talking and coming up to the companions, expressing teir gratitude for their help in everything. “Will… Keelin be okay?”

Cade looked over at Keelin and smiled. “Of course. She is a big girl. She can take care of herself.” He said with a wink. “And she has a cookie from the spirits…” He smirked looking up at the sky for a moment. He looked back at Iris and ran his finger along the table idely.

Iris laughed, “Spirit cookies, eh?” He smiled up at him, then finished her water. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Cade grinned. “Of course. Spirit cookies are rumored to be the best.” He winked and looked over at Keelin for a moment before standing. Pulling out Iris’ chair he held out his hand. “Let’s.”

Iris stood with his help, smiling faintly. She hesitated, then kept he hand in his, walking away from the noise of the party, looking at the ground as they walked away, gathering her thoughts.

Cade led Iris away from the party and to his house. “Its probably the best place. We can sit under the tree or just walk around it.” He looked up at his house with a small sigh. He had so many things inside, he’d have to figure out what to take! Looking back at Iris he smiled.

Iris nodded, smiling as she let go of him, moving to sit in the grass below the treehouse. “I was born in Qasala, and lived there until I met Jing.” She said slowly, sighing as she leaned back against the tree. “It’s a nice enough town I suppose… though it’s seen better days.”

Cade leaned against the tree but stood beside her. “I believe that.” He said with a small chuckle. “…Has something been troubling you?” He moved to sit beside her, and pulled at the grass.

Iris sighed, hugging her knees close. “Until meeting Jing… about… how long was it now… two months? Three? I… I’ve been a slave all my life.” She said softly. “I was born a slave, for the longest time, I thought I’d die a slave.”

Cade nodded listening to her quietly. “…There is nothing wrong with being a slave.” He said looking around for a moment. “Aren’t you happy to be where you are today? Are you ashamed of being a former slave?”

“N…no…yes… I mean…” She sighed, shaking her head. “Sometimes I just… feel inadequate. Like I don’t fit.” She rubbed her eyes. “Sometimes I feel I’ll never fit in… I keep seeing myself on the fringes of activity, like all those parties my Master would throw, and I standing at the edge of the room looking pretty and serving the guests. Just part of the surroundings and furniture.”

Cade nodded listening. “…and…you felt that way tonight?” He asked frowning. He scooted closer and put an arm around her. “…The others wouldn’t let you ever be alone.” He said with a smile. “And neither will I~. Actually you might get sick of us all being in your business.” He said with a laugh. 

She nodded at his question, then trembled slightly as he put an arm around her. She smiled tremulously up at her. “I… I don’t know… I’m so eager to please everyone, I… don’t like conflict and all.” She looked down. “That’s why I tried covering up for you… when…”

Cade felt her tremble and quickly retracted his arm, maybe she didn’t want to be touched. “Everyone likes you for who you are. You don’t have to break your back making everyone happy.” He said poking her cheek gently. “Focus on making you happy first.”

Iris glanced up as he retreated quickly, “No… d…don’t…” Hse turned, throwing herself into a hug. “I…. I need contact… right now.” She said slowly, closing her eyes.

Cade flailed as he fell over with Iris in his arms. “O-okay. I..I just didn’t want to…go over any boundries..” He said as he sat back up with her. He held her close and gently rubbed her back. It reminded him of his time with Keelin that first day. “…You’ve been holding this in? This whole time?”

Iris nodded, just hugging him. She wasn’t crying, surprisingly, but she just needed to hold someone. “It gets harder and harder to smile…” She whispered.

Cade wrapped his tail around them and nodded. “…Well..what makes you smile? When you get sad…just think of that..” He said softly. “And you can always talk to me. You know, I always have spare spirit cookies…”

Iris smield slightly at that. “I could use a cookie.” She said, laying against him.

Cade gently let her go. “I’ll go get you some special ones.” He said scurrying up his ladder. “Don’t go anywhere!” He called down before disappearing inside.

Iris blinked as he dashed off, looking up into the tree as she sat up, then smilef. He was… so thoughtful and willing to please.

“Cookies…cookies…” He muttered as he rummaged through his small kitchen. Finding a fresher batch he smiled and turned to look at his small home. His tail twitched and he shook his head. “I hope she likes sugar cookies….”

Putting the cookies in a small clear bag Cade made his way back down to Iris. “Sugar cookies okay?” He asked as he moved to sit back down.

Iris had curled up on the grass, and seemed to almost have fallen asleep. She stired, sitting up and smiling at Cade, “Yes, sugar cookies are okay.” She nodded. “What did you do with all the cookies before we arrived?” She asked, curious.

“I didn’t make so many. Or I’d run them to town and hand them out.” He said with a smile as he sat beside her. “Usually I just made small batches.” He said with a grin. “..I..I mean the SPIRITS…would…” He said turning red.

Iris laughed taking a cookie. “Of course… the spirits.” She nibbled on the cookie. “I’m glad you’re coming…” She turned to regard him.

Cade was busy fluffing down his tail, which had poofed up in embarrassment. Looking up at Iris he smiled. “Me too.”

Iris laughed as she saw his tail, moving over to stroke it, “It’s so fluffy! Reminds me a bit of Jing’s tail.”

As she touched his tail he felt a strange sensation run up his spine. Turning reddish he twitched. “…..Y-yeah..” Coughing he cleared his throat and moved to stand. “Ready to head back?” He wanted to check on Keelin, she was his date afterall.

Iris nodded, taking another cookie and getting to her feet, inhaling deeply. “Thanks, Cade.” She smiled at him.

Cade defluffed his tail, which was still extremely puffed up, and began leading Iris back. “Hopefully no one got worried.”

Iris smiled, “I’m sure everyone is having plenty of fun.”

Cade nodded as he walked beside her. “Anytime you want to talk just seek me out.” He said with a big smile.

Iris smiled back, and moved closer, kissing him on the cheek. “Thanks.”

Cade looked at her for a moment then at the sky. “…Anytime.” His tail flicked behind him as the dance came into view.