My, there were quite a few here-!

Pride greeted each with nods and murmured hellos, and a gentle nudge to closer family--to the cubs and half-primates Mercurius had spawned, as much his own children to him as his actual stone-and-magic. When they seemed to have settled, introductions mostly complete, he spoke again.

Mischief flickered through his voice and eyes; Mischief herself, his familiar, perched atop his back.

"So, this is a very important meeting," he began, with a glance at Temperance. "Temperance wants to hold a party--a happy gathering for family and friends. I'll let them go over the details, but they were hoping to organize it themselves; to offer out tasks for planning to any volunteers, and to ask what else you all might want to see, there, or suggest. Temperance?" he asked, stepping back.

He'd let the cub take it from there: to go over what they wanted to see, and what ideas they had, and who might be invited--whatever they saw fit to address. Pride had been there merely to gather and introduce the idea: this would be Temperance's party to arrange.

@Temperance

This was... a lot more people than Temperance was expecting to see. As more and more people showed up, his ears went further and further back, and he found himself half-hiding behind Pride's legs as more people arrived. However, most seemed more concerned with introducing themselves, so he had a moment to calm himself down.

He did feel rather afraid as Pride put the attention all on him, and he balked for a moment, blanking.

"U-uh- h-hello," he wheezed, "I-I just... I just thought a party would um... would..."

Come on, words! Work!!

"Dad and I-I were talking a bit ago and we both through that a party w-would be nice for both o-our family and for the Seven," he said, "And because it would be a good place t-to meet new people."

He swallowed and looked towards the siblings he'd so unfortunately been avoiding, his tail flicking gently as he tried not to cower, "A-and I thought that... that maybe you all would like t-to help. Like with decorating, or making food, or inviting g-guests. We could invite friends and family from other groups or spread the w-word in case there are people who want to join the Seven. I think that meeting more people would be good for a-all of us, too."

"Tobie?", he asked softly, the one family member aside from Pride who he'd gotten the courage to connect with, "Wh-what do you think? And everyone else, too! What would be fun for people? A-and do any of you have i-ideas?"

Temperance was proud of himself for not sounding like as much of an idiot as he thought he would. He looked up to his father briefly, hoping for some reassurance and encouragement.

@Tobias @Ember @Genevive @Kibou @Ampelio
@Casimir

James was rather surprised at the gaggle of children that arrived, clearly of both Pride and Mercy. Though the wolf was an outlier, a child of whose parents he could not identify. Perhaps a stone given life by someone else to be raised by Pride and Mercurius. But again, who was he to judge, seeing as he himself had a peryton, alien-swan creature, and a wolf that were not of his magic or stone either.

He really ought to stop being so judgmental, seeing as both he and Pride, to one another, suddenly had whole families that the other had no idea of. But that was something to talk about later, also.

"Kibou!", James exclaimed, slightly startled by his son's enthusiasm, though he very quickly warmed up.

James whickered softly and nudged the peryton affectionately, lifting his head and fluffing up his feathers as he turned to Isolde.

"Forgive me," he said, "I think I was so excited I forgot to explain. A party is a gathering of people, generally for fun! I believe that this is only a gathering to plan a party, so we are bringing our ideas together to plan a day of fun and happiness for all who come. If you are overwhelmed, my dear, you do not have to attend. That goes for everyone."

James turned to each of his children to ensure they heard before perking up as Temperance spoke. He felt sympathy, as before having children (and having to suffer through many an awkward moment before he became immune) he was just as bad if not worse with his anxiety.

"I think this is a wonderful idea," he said softly, "Hm... I would happily help out with decoration. My wings allow me to get up high and so hang things easily, so that could be useful, as well as certain spells I have that can make lights and such. Though if you'd prefer for me to fetch people and invite them, I can do so as well, I am very fast."

no need for most of you to read more than the last three paragraphs!

Tobie's family is his terra firma, his light to look up to, his shoulder to lean on — and so, when his Poppa offers one of his trademark nudges and Pelly tosses their golden eyes his way, there's a settling sense of reassurance, easing all those staticky nerves. Tobias watches and listens as his brother scans the field, turns, delivers their report (only "like, seven"? wonderful! and here he was guessing there were ten!), and supplies a definition.

Par·ty (noun): a bunch of friends all in one spot, eating and talking; dinnertime, but more.

"Oh!" Tobie dissolves into a little bout of chuckling, all relief and pleasant surprise. A shade of it lingers quietly in his voice. "Golly, that sounds great! Okay, where to sit, wheeere to sssssit ..." He falters, peering down at the monotonous, featureless floor that surrounds them. "Well, I guess we could just s-stay here —"

And at that moment, his ears turn around, followed by his head, followed by the rest of him, because he's caught sight of Casimir!, all but slithering through the crowd to meet them. Tobie sucks in a big, wiggly breath, melting on the spot, eyes sparkling with delight. "You came, you came! Oh, I knew you would." He glances up and down at his big brother's fur, clocks the obvious effort that's gone into it, and reaches over towards a shaggy foreleg, the way you'd briefly, lightly touch an expensive suit. Tobie's never quite (read: even remotely) understood why that should matter, rough-'n'-ready adventurer-to-be that he is, but it's important to Casimir, so ... "You look nice."

His features settle into an easy smile, and he scoots away to seat himself between his brothers, humming. This isn't so bad after all, is it? To Pelly, with another nudge: "You said it's like dinnertime?" He's brought his words back down to a whisper, but they're bouncing up and down with eagerness. It's been a little while since he had something to eat, and the broaching of the subject has made him very aware of that fact. "When do we —"

"So, this is a very important meeting."

He clamps his mouth shut. A call to attention, a short explanation, and his Poppa Pride turns it over to Temperance. Tobie was already curious, but as his focus shifts to his beloved older sibling, here comes a spark of it that wasn't there before. "Decorating, food, guests, friends, family" — oh, that all sounds wonderful — "Tobie?" ... You know that little trilling noise that cats make when you poke them while they're sleeping? Tobie makes one of those. He freezes for a moment, then sits up straighter, locked into an expression of mingled, startled alertness and anxiety. "Wh-What do you think?" Oh, gosh — this is not what he was expecting, not at all. What does he think? Glancing on instinct at his brothers, he suddenly isn't thinking much of anything besides the words please and help.

He's got time to recover and come up with an answer, thank goodness: Temperance continues and finishes, followed by the fellow with the pretty feathers. His speech goes on for some time. Then, silence. Tobie gets himself up and inches forward, clearing his throat, shuffling his paws. I have a fun fact for you, now. Did you know that Tobie is both the smallest and the youngest person here? Did you? He sure does.

"Greetings, friends!" His voice is high and sweet, brought higher still by a touch of extra volume and, yes, a comeback on the nerves. A delicate smile floats to his face, and his eyes flutter in arcs among those in attendance. "My name is Tobias. Um —" Temperance's question echoes in his ears. Oh, what does Tobie think, what does Tobie think? He glances over at them, offering up a softer, surer smile before returning to the assembly at large. "I think it s-s-sounds like lots of fun." Fun, fun, fun ... "Maybe we could have other things to do there, too? Things like ..." What's fun? "Well, my Pop-pop and my Poppa" — (here, he flings a forepaw towards the latter of these, beaming) — "tell the greatest stories in the whole world, w-with moving pictures and everything! Casimir" — (fling!) — "does the most amazing magic tricks, and Ampelio here" — (fling!) — "is a star athlete." He shakes out his paw and sets it back down, looking up at the newcomers. "And, gee, all of you must be good at all sss-sorts of things! But I think we'll have a nice time together no matter what. Right? I, it's — it's very nice to meet you all."

He meets each of their faces with eyes wide as moons and bright as the blue of a sky unseen, aching with sincerity. After all the newcomers, his attention catches on Pride, Temperance, Casimir, and Pelly (in that order) before falling to his feet. Shuffle, shuffle. He smiles at the floor.

Ember remained quiet, a stolid, shy pup with his muzzle pointed down and his emberglow eyes up. It probably was amusing to look at, given his gargantuan comparative size--a creature half-dragon, and half the size of one, wasn't something that looked like it should tuck itself into a corner and hide. But there were just too many strangers here, something half-overwhelming to the mind of a creature who spent so much time happily solitary.

A party-? Planning? He wasn't sure what he could offer, really. He made... things, but nothing very useful, as yet; and nothing that his slowly-churning mind could connect to festivities of any kind. But...

Flaming eyes flicked to Temperance, and he hesitated, and then spoke quietly. He did love his sibling; he'd offer... something, at least.

"If I can help... I will, just tell me what you need," he said, voice soft.

Several gembounds began to introduce themselves. Casimir's ears twitched this way and that, swiveling to catch names that he then struggled to memorize to faces. There were so many... tall creatures, that towered over Casimir and his young littermates. It was hard not to feel crowded, even in the modest group that they were.

His attention was distracted by Tobias telling him that he looked nice, though. His fur prickled, as his darker blue eyes stared wide-eyed at his sibling for a moment as the compliment wormed its way from meaning in his brain to feeling in his heart. Embarassment struck. The pale hair around his face did little to hide the warmth that rose to his skin.

Flustered, he reached his nose down to his chest and ran his wide, rough tongue over the fur in his chest a few more times. "Thank you," he murmured. "I'm glad."

From there, the meeting began a bit more proper, the announcement of a... party. With food, guests and friends, family, and. Wince. Temperance suggested the whole more-the-merrier, "good for everyone", but unfortunately that sounded particularly bad for Cas. Already this many people was a lot to keep track of, and for all of Tobie's compliments, his pelt twitched where a tangle still lived by his haunches. Surely everyone else was staring, wondering about the dirt in his fluff.

While he was thinking about how many people would be staring at him, suddenly Tobie was in the limelight, standing before everyone and offering his thoughts. How Casimir's baby brother could be so... brave... it was awe-inspiring, for Cas, who sat a bit taller with pride as Tobie rattled on about his thoughts for the party.

Of course, Tobias would love a party. That was why Casimir came: for his fathers, and his brothers, who wanted him to be there. Then came the paw waggling, and when Tobias gestured to him with the suggestion of magic tricks, he stiffened. Did he know how to do tricks? He knew some magic, sure, but-- oh, jeez. He was relieved that Tobias moved quickly to Pelly and his athletics.

Casimir lowered his head a touch, and let everyone else talk. The last thing he wanted was the spotlight.

Kibou was more than elated when his father nudged them back affectionately in greeting. Both ending up with fluffed feathers and more energy than they started with. Enthusiasm was contagious- and apparently for Kibou as well it seemed to act almost like a generator. Kibou though mirrored his father in focus, turning to those who spoke. He was excited to see what was in store, especially for a party!

It seemed though that they would all be working together! Though with what tasks still remained unknown. Though when they asked if anyone had ideas, Kibou was rather quick to try and speak up with various thoughts of his own.

"Maybe we can decorate the area- look for cool things- or go scavenger hunting! Hide and seek even?-Anything you'd like!"

Feathers ruffling with each movement he preened them as quickly as he could- excitement was ever rampant in the Peryton. And he had- perhaps too many ideas to voice. Granted...too many ideas and- well many of them left just as fast as they came. Regardless he curiously eyed the others, his own siblings especially. Wondering what ideas they possibly had.