"Just friends, eh?" Vienna rolled her eyes dramatically. "I've only been back for half a day and even I don't believe that for a second. Did you see him at the party? Staring at her and Azzy like some wounded puppy... if it weren't for how he treated her before I might've felt a pang of sympathy for the poor boy. Not like there's uch he can do about it. I didn't used to believe in destiny before, well..." she gestured all around her. It was hard to claim control over her own fate when she had first-hand knowledge that gods existed. Prophecies, destiny, callings - all that crap was - unfortunately - a very real part of her life these days. She scanned the room for more alcohol. "Well, even if I didn't, I'm not blind. Lil and Azrael were practically made for each other. Shadow will just have to get over it." Vi shrugged. At the ed of the day, all he could do was mope in a corner for a bit... right?

"That's their business though. What about you, little brother? What's been going on in your life? Besides developing your brewing talents of course - that part is evident." She gave another bright grin, raising her empty glass in a toasting motion.

"Sounds good to me!" Vi declared, chugging down the beer a bit too quickly. She liked alcohol - actually that was a bit of an understatement - but she didn't have the natural talent for brewing the stuff that some of her siblings had. As far as she was concerned, anything that made the world a bit fuzzy was worth a try. But Killian's brew was pretty impressive. She'd once heard IPA's described as "like being kicked in the face by a tree" and she now found herself agreeing with the assessment. "Tastes good to me too! So, dear brother - you have to get me caught up on the gossip. I'm afraid I'm woefully behind on Camp Halfblood affairs. What's gone on here since I've been away?"

Azrael had invited her back to camp for Lilythe's birthday, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something more was going on around the old campground. Something... weird. Perhaps her younger sibling could give her some insight. And if not, she still wanted to know how he'd been doing as well.

"Killian!" Vienna exclaimed, throwing open door and embracing her little brother in an aggressive hug - nearly knocking the drinks from his hands in the process. She'd meant to catch up with him at the party, but between Lilythe and Azrael's blossoming relationship and her suspicions that Shadow wasn't exactly over the whole thing... Well, she'd had her hands full. And it seemed like he'd had his hands full too with that cute girl - what was her name again?  The lightweight. "Look at you, my darling little brother! You're all grown up!"

When she finally released him from the bear hug, it did occur to her where he'd been in the hours since the party ended. "I suppose I owe you and your girlfriend an apology." Vi had no idea if the girl was actually his girlfriend, but she figured it was a win either way. Either she was right and looked smart and perceptive, or she was wrong and had landed on some material to tease him with. "I did egg her on a bit, I'll own up to that. I forget that not everyone shares our tolerance. Speaking of..."

Vi motioned eagerly to the glasses he'd brought along. "What did you bring for me dear brother? Something strong I hope!"

The newbie gulped down about half a cocktail against several warnings. "Aw, let her have fun!" She chuckled. As far as Vi was concerned, the drunker everyone was, the better. Her convenient ability to never have a hangover made it more difficult for her to remember that such actions could have dire consequences. Besides, she liked drunk people. They were more free. More honest. Speaking of...

Sex on the beach, eh?  I see what's happening here.

Vienna had known these people for years, and ditzy as she was at times, she certainly wasn't stupid. Her wry smile quickly transformed into a full-on grin. Good for you, Lil! Azrael was quite the catch, and she couldn't have been happier to see those two paired up. If anyone deserved a fairy tale romance it was her best friend.

Of course, the was the issue of him. Vi still didn't trust Shadow. Still, she couldn't help but feel a bit bad for him. Everything else aside, watching your ex and your buddy flirt openly in front of you had to suck. Lilythe was the sweetest, most wonderful person in the world. But at times she could be a little oblivious. There was no doubt that she genuinely considered Shadow a friend now and wanted them all to get along together. She'd absolutely never do anything to hurt the man on purpose. But there was indeed a pang of sympathy to be had for the ex-lover scorned. As Vienna turned to study Shadow, she registered his question.

How long did she plan on staying here? To be frank, she hadn't really though about it. Vi was in an odd stage at the moment. She didn't really have anything to do here, but there was nothing pressing to return to in New Rome either. Heck, this whole Azzy/Lil/Shadow drama was more interesting than anything going on back there. And she couldn't shake the feeling that this fairy tale romance was gonna need a bit of Vienna-brand grease in the wheel eventually. That settled it, she supposed. "Oh, I don't know." She shrugged. "I guess I can grace you all with my presence for now. Besides, this place is desperately in need of some style!" She smiled warmly at Lilythe and waved her tail. She hadn't intended to match costumes with her bff, but it seemed that fate had once more brought them together. "I mean one cat's enough, especially when she's as hot as you Lil. But two's better than one if you ask me!"

A wry smile broke out across Vienna's face. It seemed her grand entrance had been a perfect success! "Oh darling!" she giggled. "You didn't really think I'd miss my best friend's birthday, did you?" She eagerly returned the hug. Vi had missed this. The cheerful atmosphere, the room full of friends... it was almost like they were back in the good old days. New Rome was cool and all, but nothing compared to the true connections she'd made here in her Camp Half-Blood days. Vi wasn't one for showing her real emotions, having long ago taken to masking any real expressions in a haze of booze and empty cheers. But with Lilythe it was different. "It's really good to see you." She spoke in a slightly softer, more realistic tone for just a moment. Then immediately returned to her boisterous self. "I missed you like crazy, girl!"

She chatted for a bit with various guests. Faces old and new were perking up to examine the new arrival. As they very well should. Even when she wasn't clad in skin-tight leather, Vienna Pimm never failed to attract attention. Of course, there was one question that was always able to get her attention... and somebody happened to ask it. 

"Whats your drink of choice tonight then Vee?"

"Azzyyyyy!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around another of her old friends. "My dear boy, I thought you'd never ask!" As she slid up to the bar to examine the liqueur selection, another familiar voice chimed in. Shadow. She gave him a cheerful smile, though there was a certain wariness behind her eyes. Ever since the breakup, their relationship had been a bit strained. There had been a time when all of them were friends, and she knew Lilythe was still close to Shadow even after all that had happened. But Vi had gone through far to much to cling optimistically to distant memories. She'd like to believe he was different now but... that remained to be seen. In the meantime, she'd have to keep an eye out for Lil's sake. "Shadow! Good to see you. I've been well enough I suppose." She sat beside him, motioning toward the empty glass. "Make it two, Az. Hell, make it four!" She motioned for Lilythe to come join the little friend circle as she waited on Azrael to pour the drinks. "I've got to know how my boys have been getting along. But first, let's all make a toast together. To old friends - " She beamed at the group, but did not look Shadow directly in the eyes. "And new memories!"

Vienna approached the hall with her usual grace and charm. That is to say, she was managing to make her way toward it without too much swaying from the combination of pregaming and stilettos. It felt like it had been a million years since she'd last set foot in Camp Half-Blood. And there was good reason for that. Everywhere she looked, memories came flooding back. Some good, some horrifically bad - all tainted by the battles she'd faced on these grounds. Vi shook her head, feeling the pinned-on cat ears tug back against her hair. She wasn't here for herself. It didn't matter how this place made her feel, or what memories it brought back. That was all stuff she'd deal with eventually. Right now, she was here for Lilythe.

Lilythe was her best friend in the entire world. Vee would fight for her, she'd kill for her... and she would return to camp complete with stereotypical sexy catgirl outfit for her. It wasn't even a question. Still, as she made her way past all the old haunts, a thought did pervade her mind. I need a drink.

Thankfully, it seemed their old friend Azrael was way ahead of her on that one. When she entered the party, all eyes were on him and his flaming shot.  It seemed he'd already been plying both the crowd and the birthday girl with alcohol. Perfect, she thought. Time to make my entrance. With catlike grace (or as much grace as a drunk girl in heels could muster), she crept up behind the  birthday girl. Giving Azzy a wink, she reached forward and covered Lilythe's eyes. Just as he downed his shot, she proclaimed loudly - "GUESS WHO!?!"