The festivities would not be denied despite the initial displeasure of the goddess the party was intended to celebrate. Nathan could only sympathize with the goddess since he was not one for large gatherings or celebrations either. The man found that he tended to find the side lines of such revelries to watch alone. He could not deny the fact that he enjoyed these gatherings, but he had never been good at actually partaking. This evening was no different. Freshly pressed blue commander’s uniform displayed the strong angles of the man as he stood in the shadows to watch the others enjoy themselves.

There were several locations to spend time, but it was the second floor that Nathan had decided to linger. He enjoyed the scent of spiced apple cakes in the air, which happened to be one his favorite treats. Typically he would have been holding a mug of ale. With the selections available he had chosen the spiced cider to enjoy instead. Gloved hands held the steaming mug between both hands that he held up to take in the smell deeply in. Gentle satisfied smile pulled at his lips that in turn pulled at the small scar on his right upper lip. The commander took a small sip of the steaming liquid before leaning back against the wall.

Nathan was still surprised in himself for coming to the party, but Kiba had practically shoved him out the door of the guild hall. Both had been spending most of their time diligently getting the guild organized further as Kythe tended to her triplets. Thankfully, Conrad seemed to always be with the mother and children. Nathan felt bad for the Champion as he had recently gone through a break-up that seemed to be hitting him harder than he had previously admitted. To keep his focus off of the feelings, the diowolf used Nathan and the guild to keep distracted. It had been weeks of constant work for Kiba to realize his strategy was taking down others along with himself. In an attempt to obtain forgiveness, the diowolf pushed Nathan to go to the party while giving him in without dealing through the crowds.

Honey brown eyes glanced down at his mug of cider before looking up once more. He wouldn’t have been able to say it was the wrong decision to come. The glass tower was quite impressive, and a sight that no one should miss. Thoughts began to wonder as he stared down at the drink that he had begun to swirl around in the mug. He knew exactly how Kiba was doing, but Nathan wondered how Kaya was doing with the separation. The Champion had given bits and pieces to describe that it was for the best. Reality had hit the pair to make them realize that there was still too much that the diowolf yearned for in his late wife. All his attempts to forget her was not possible. Nathan had known that Kaya had not deserved that, but it had not been his place to say anything.

The Commander was a silent observer of the Balatro and Sitari family. He had witnessed much of his time working with them. He was not an all-powerful diowolf or dragon shifter like they were. No. Nathan was a human. Plain and simple. There was nothing that the dark blonde man could do in comparison to the great beings that they were. No. Nathan knew that he could help organize the forces that were growing as Kiba’s second in command. He could handle the paperwork for requisitions as well as handle any requests brought to the guild. It was a busy life, and despite all the people around him…he was alone. That was fine by him.

A night out would suggest there was some choice in the matter - Kaya had been given no choice whatsoever. Tired of her moping (not that Kaya had believed she was, though the girls thought otherwise it seemed) they had dragged her out to join the celebrations in honour of Angela, and so they could continue their drinking… 
Kaya knew that she and Kiba had made the right decision - but that didn't mean it was any easier on her heart. She had loved him, there was no denying that, but too many things had told her that they were doomed. Kiba's heart was still with Nami, he'd never really let go of his wife, and Kaya had never blamed him for that - but it has created a wall between them that had almost cost Kaya everything she was… when her love sphere had been taken it was because of the doubt already hanging over their relationship. She was lucky to have had it returned at all, but it had cemented what Kaya already knew; she cared for Kiba, but it was a first love scenario, infatuation not the true love she had believed it was. 
It hurt, but their separation had been mutual nonetheless… though it didn't stop the pain and anger and upset that rolled over her in waves, unable to control her emotions. Quite why she had found sanctuary at her brother's as beyond her - Raith was the last person in the world she would normally turn to, but Luna was of no use to her and her mother had enough on with the triplets. That brought a smile to her face. Her brother's and sister were beautiful, surprising, but beautiful and Kaya adored the triplets with all of her heart. Rinarn, Devin and Iolanthe had given her hope, but had also broken her heart - because suddenly she realised that the love she had been afraid of, the family she had sworn for her entire life she did not want, she in fact did. 

Syn, Sorrento, Isleen and Ria had been her constant companions once she had moved into the Observatory. Syn had declared a 'girl's' night and that had turned into a bender that seemed to have absolutely no end in sight. Syn and Sorrento had barrelled her into a room to dress her in an outfit Kaya would never have worn normally. 
By some sheer miracle Kaya had managed to slip away from the girls midway through the celebrations. As she wove her way through the crowds of people gathered to celebrate Angela's birthday, Kaya spotted a familiar blue uniform that had become a regular sight alongside Kiba. There was a definite pang of longing and sadness that came with seeing it, but it was not the man's fault, and she could not be rude to him when he was always so kind to her. 
"Greetings Nathan, are you enjoying the festivities?" Kaya asked softly, giving the man a small smile as she clasped her hands behind her back and leant around to look at him from slightly behind, her loose ringlets falling in front of her face. 

The music floated through the air, but it had a difficult time breaking through the psyche of Nathan as he stood away from the ever growing crowd. He could feel his resolve to remain at this party beginning to wane as time went on. True, he was enjoying his drink and the small pastries; it just did not feel like enough for him to put on a smile occasionally to passing revelers. As the evening continued Nathan found he was having to get out of conversations that made a blush heat up the back of his neck. Apparently when alcohol was put into the mix there were an assortment of women and some men who felt they wanted to proposition him. The blonde haired man attempted to be as polite as possible with his rejections. His honey brown eyes waivered slightly as his next admirer became a little more than graphic in her description of their night had available. ”Ummm…thank you, but I am actually waiting for someone to arrive as of yet,” he lied with an uncomfortable smile. Hand rubbed the back of his neck as he attempted to hide the blush that was creeping from his neck to his cheeks. ”How can these people be so brazen?” he thought with slight internal terror.

Nathan jumped slightly as he felt the presence of another woman from behind. His heart settled down slightly, though it still skipped at the sight of Kaya looking up at him with concern upon her gentle features. This time the blush couldn’t be fully hidden as he shook his head with a genuine smile. ”I will be better now that you are here. The guests at this celebration…well, I’m glad to see you Mistress Kaya,” he said with a deep bow. He rose to his full height while taking in the outfit that she was wearing; the blush almost appeared again with a deepened hue. It was a brazen outfit that he had only imagined women such as his brother’s assistant to wear. Yet, it hugged every curve of Kaya in the correct way, while exposing the strength of her core.

”If you will allow me to say this, but you look beautiful tonight.” Nathan smiled softly at Kaya before he glanced away as if he had been distracted by someone passing. The commander knew that he had to keep his embarrassment with the evening at a minimum if he was going to look at anyone in the eye again. ”Anyway, how are you doing this evening?” Nathan knew it was a slightly loaded question, but he could only hope that she was doing well considering what was going on in her personal life with Kiba.

Kaya giggled slightly behind a hand as Nathan jumped, unaware that she'd been right behind him. It amused her to see how uncomfortable he was at the promiscuity of the festival-goers, though she completely understood his trepidation; Kaya was not exactly known for her ability to go up to people and tell them how she felt. Not where her heart was concerned at least. "They are a little forward, aren't they? Though I suppose given it's a party for Angela we really shouldn't be surprised," she said with a smile, stepping forward to stand next to the man, her hands still clasped behind her back. 
She could not help but notice the flush of colour to the man's cheeks as he looked at her, it took her a moment to realise exactly why Nathan was blushing. Biting her bottom lip Kaya wrapped her arms around her bare stomach, her own cheeks turning beet-red. Bloody Syn, bloody Sorrento. When she found them she was going to kill them. 

Kaya laughed, tucking a ringlet behind her pointed ear. "You can say whatever you like to me Nathan, you know that. There's no need to stand on ceremony with me. I'm not my mother," she said softly, jade coloured eyes flickering to the man. "Well. I've been dragged out of the safety of my brother's Temple in an outfit I was forced into and I'm currently hiding from the women who are attempting to 'cheer me up'. That pretty much sums up how I'm doing this evening," Kaya muttered, raising her eyebrows and smiling at the man. "Though even in this ridiculous outfit I feel I'm less exposed then you are. You stick out like a sore thumb Nathan, shuffling about so uncomfortably," turning to face him she took his hands gently in her own, cocking her head to one side as she smiled at him. "Concentrate on me, not the rest of the crowd. Maybe we can save each other from a terrible ordeal."

Nathan couldn’t allow himself to admit how the slight giggle made by the woman pushed him to smile in return. That small laugh she gave off brought a brightness back to her eyes that hadn’t been seen in a while. Something that had gone missing from her as well as the diowolf Champion. The Commander was glad to see the smallest of sparks from the woman. He had always noticed a playfulness in her personality, even if he had noticed from a distance. Nathan chuckled in agreement as he began to settle slightly. ”The forwardness…I should have expected such at a function for the esteemed Mother. Even if I should have expected it, it still would have caught me off guard. Not exactly experienced in such things.”. Quickly the man cleared his throat as he realized what he had essentially admitted.

The Commander had always been a man of action; action on the battlefield. This left little time for him to pursue any sort of relationships. It wasn’t from the lack of desire, but no one had ever truly sparked his interest. Battles and war were easier to handle.

Honey brown eyes followed Kaya’s movements as she settled in beside him to observe the parties. ”Creator…she is biting her bottom lip,” he thought with another flush of his cheeks. Though as she attempted to cover herself, there was little to be done. The outfit seemed to find other ways to show off the muscular and lean form of the woman even if she didn’t want it to. Even if he was slightly embarrassed to see Kaya in such a state, he was giving accolades to whoever had dressed the woman. He turned his head slightly as he attempted to hide the smile at the sight of her own blush. At least it wasn’t just him.

”I give respect where it is due, Mistress,” he said with a gentle smile. Kaya had always seemed to put down her own capabilities whenever in the company of her strong family. It was as if she felt her light was not as strong as the others. Nathan could understand considering her family was full of strong entities. Even so, she had her own light that could not be denied. Not by him anyway.

His brows lifted in surprise as she laid out how the evening had come together. ”I had wondered how you were doing at the Observatory.” Nathan glanced down at her with a slight tilt of his head. Everything had happened rather quickly, and even more so with her leaving the guild hall. The Commander had noticed a quiet settle on the hall; one that he had not enjoyed. ”The outfit is not ridiculous…” He shrugged a little that moved some of the war medals that had been pinned on his chest.

”Where are these friends of yours? I think I heard of one of them…would that be Miss Syn? There have been a few reports about the vampiress at your brother’s side.”. There were mixed reports. She was a fiery personality that seemed to seduce many to her side. If not, then she would feast upon their blood. It was fairly straight forward in that sense. What concerned the higher ups in the guild was that a Coven was being pieced together under her command in the name of Raith. Something to watch closely. Hopefully, Kaya was able to keep an eye on the situation as well.

Surprise was evident on his face upon contact with her hands. It quickly softened as he gazed down at her as she gave her calming command. ”I would be honored if you would save me, Mistress Kaya. May I escort you over to get some of the apple pastries available? They are quite delicious.” Before she had an opportunity to answer, Nathan removed his hands from her’s. Carefully, he unbuttoned his jacket in order to slip it off of his form. In one motion he gently draped it over the shorter woman’s shoulders in an effort to give her the cover she had been craving. ”There. I stick out less, and you have your shield, my lady.”. He chuckled slightly with a twinkle in his brown eyes. He had worn a white formal shirt beneath his jacket, that still seemed to fit his muscled form properly.