Signing up and mingling.

[shina]

Shina strode into the crowded hall, tugging at her dress as she entered the room. Her knee-high leather boots made a quiet clipping noise as the heels hit the tiles, but she doubted the others that had gathered could hear it. The vampiress was acutely aware of the noise of the damned shoes because she hated the soft noise, absolutely dreaded it. It was a peevish sound, one that almost turned her off to heels completely. Almost.

Shina picked up her pace, taking her fountain pen from her tiny clutch purse. She signed her name hastily, giving a firm nod after pushing the paper back, sealing her entry.

She looked around, some faces familiar, but most unrecognized or only ones she had seen in the ghettos a few times, sitting at a table and drinking, socializing with others.

The vampiress peered around those unfamiliar to her, searching for someone she felt comfortable with. The woman spied Nova soon after, grinning to herself toothily as she snuck up behind her close friend. "Hey, you signed up yet?" she asked, wrapping her arms around Nova from behind in a friendly hug.

She tossed her wavy, dark hair behind her left shoulder, beginning to regret wearing her blue dress, made of gauzy fabric and cut short, to her lower-thighs, the neck cut low to show a dainty gold chain and charm.

[Frozen Nova]

The girl jumped, caught off guard by the woman as she was suddenly embraced. Nova turned to face Shina, calming immediately at the sight of her. She beamed at the other before answering her question.

"Of course." She nodded once, opening her mouth to say more. "The kiddos need money and I need something to do." Nova stuck her tongue out merrily before turning to pick up a glass, stirring it gently before sipping.

"Mm. Want some?" She tilted her head, arching a brow curiously. "Kahlua and soda."

[shina]

Shina eyed the drink before dismissing it with a small wave of her hand, "Tempting...but no thank you. Had some wine before I came here," she murmured, letting Nova go.

"I'd love to say I came to earn some money for the childer, but I would rather them earn than come begging for money every time they run out. I give them some now and then, but...mostly they get the money all on their own. Gives them a sense of value, starts to teach them economics and all that..." the vampiress continued.

Shina searched the hall for more that she knew. She saw Thylantis, a man her husband called a brother, and thought about waving to him, but decided against it. The man was busy, and she wasn't about to bother him when he could be speaking to potential bidders.

[Frozen Nova]

Nova nodded, tilting the drink to her lips. "Mm. True, but my childer haven't finished most of what I tell them to. And poor Sakura keeps missing the guilds by just minutes with small misunderstandings." She frowns, swirling the alcoholic beverage again before sipping. "It's sad. None of them have Theivery and Shadows, yet."

With another sigh, she cast a quick glance to her drink. "Mm. Whatever. This is fun anyway." She beamed, her small change in attitude going unnoticed by her. She eyed Shina for a moment shrugging as she too turned to eye the others around them. Her eye caught Lady Anuk-su-namun and Rayne wandering the entry hall, along with a glimpse of Lyn and Naimira.

[Mandolin]

She had no idea why she was back here again... really. Pushed and pulled to look at one person or the other, to bid, to show support... it seemed a lot simpler when she was a youngling. Then again, the pleasures of a slave seemed so much better when she was a youngling too.

Shaking her head slightly at thoughts of the past, she spotted Shina and Nova having drinks. Picking up a bottle of vodka on her way over she grinned and pinched her quarry's on the hips. "Evening ladies... enjoying the pre-auction yet?"

[shina]

Shina smiled at Mandolin, nodding. "Yeah, it's been pretty good. Signed up a while ago and now I'm just kind of hanging out with Nova, as you can see."

Shina took off for a moment and grabbed a vacant chair, popping back over to Nova and Mandolin. "Please, Mando, sit," Shina coaxed, patting the seat as she set it down.