Title: Greetings

Author: Tis

Series: L&L Fantasy Ball

Notes: Follows immediately after 'Goings and Comings'

* * * * * * * * *

"Hi, guys!" she said, grinning at the whole group as she approached, "The place looks great! Then again, so do you!"

Chaos laughed and spun around, the thin strips of her skirt flaring separately around her body. "You like, Tis? It’s a custom job."

Marcus arched a brow, his lips twitching playfully. "Gives a ‘ole new meanin’ ta sayin’ someone’s lookin’ tasty, don’t it, pet?"

"Oh, you catch on quick," Vamps laughed, giving him a wink.

Tis made the rounds of the smallish group, hugging them all while reserving a special pinch for Anubis. "Hey, Puppy," she told him, eyes twinkling merrily as she delivered it.

Anu jumped ever so slightly, then grinned back. "Might have to make you pay for that later, you know."

Throwing an arm around Tis’s shoulders, Bear snorted. "Yeah, good luck with that, mate... Think m’Venus is goin’ to be busy for a while." He tossed a playful wink at Anubis and his family, ignoring the laughter coming from the rest of the Menagerie and House of Blue. "Might be able to pencil you in later, though. She’ll ‘ave to let ya know."

"Hey! That’s not fair, Duke! It’s a party!" Tis couldn’t help laughing anyway, though. "Besides... I want to introduce Jes around, you know? Speaking of whom..."

She glanced around, her gaze finally finding him off to the side near one of the large flower arrangements. "I don’t want him to feel like he has to do... that... the whole time," she added with a sigh.

"What’s that, Cinnamon?" Wolfe asked, moving closer as Sully began telling Scarlet all about his day at the tattoo parlour.

Bear snorted softly while Wolfe kissed Tis’s cheek. "Become one with the shrubbery, maybe?"

Angelina frowned a little, her eyes following the tall redhead’s. "He looks sort of... uncomfortable, guys. Um, that’s Jester, right?"

Grim nodded quickly. "Yessss. You are correct, Angelina. That is our new... brother. He is not entirely certain of his welcome, I believe."

The Buffy clone nodded shortly, then looked as though she’d come to a decision. "So I’m thinking we make him certain. I mean, Tis is right. It’s a party!" She grinned and grabbed Vamps’ hand, pulling her towards the new Lindsey. "Come on! It’s our house, right? We should at least say hi!"

Vamps rolled her eyes a little at Angie’s enthusiasm, but went with her after blowing kisses to Luc and Anu. "All right, all right! Slow down, okay? The wind drag might tear off my wings!"

Tis and Bear laughed, neither of them noticing the interested look on Wolfe’s face as he watched the two young women stroll off towards the new guy.

"I am pleased that they would welcome him as well," Grim said softly, a smile on his face. "Of course, I am not surprised. Their entire family is very... kind."

"‘ey! You take that back, git! We’re bloody well evil!"

The Rak-bot arched a brow at Luc, then chuckled. "Perhaps, my friend, our definitions of ‘evil’ are different, then. I would be pleased to discuss it at some point, Lucifer. However, at this particular moment, I must rescue Clover from Sullivan’s clutches."

Luc’s brow arched as well and he chuckled, glancing at Scarlet and Sully. "Doesn’t look much like she wants to be rescued, mate. Seems to be enjoyin’ his attentions, if I’m goin’ to be honest."

Grim chuckled again, shaking his head. "That is true enough, perhaps. However, I am certain she will welcome my assistance in any case." He bent slightly, leaning between Bear and Wolfe to kiss Tis’s cheek. "I will see you shortly, Spice. Once I have pried our mate from Clover’s form."

"Have fun, Shadow," she giggled, looking around her and finding only herself and Chaos in a veritable sea of guys. "Hmmmm... see, this is nice."

Cae laughed loudly, throwing her head back just a little. "Yeah, this is the kind of boy to girl ratio I like!"

Kissing her cheek, Marcus smirked. "Just ‘cause ya like alla th’ attention, luv. ‘Course, can’t say as I blame ya. We’s a right stunnin’ bunch of blokes, we are."

"There, I told you I was your type, Devil Dog," Val grinned, coming up behind the group and running a hand down Marcus’s fishnet-covered arm.

"Oh... bloody ‘ell."

Chaos laughed again, this time joined by Tis and the guys.

...tbc...