[quote=@shylarah]
"Nobody is dissecting anyone, Arsenio."  Alyssana snapped the words out with quiet force, though she gave him a small, apologetic smile immediately after.  "No apologies necessary; I understand."  She rested her hand briefly on the young man's shoulder before turning to regard the latest arrival.
[/quote]

[quote=@RavensMuse]
Reeza smiled politely to Arsenio, noting the youth had taken a defensive posture as she'd revealed his identity. She silently chided herself as she realized not everyone holds the same respect for the living doll she held. 

She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze as Lorelei stood beside them, the false-life doll standing patiently beside the pair. She whispered quietly to Arsenio as she placed her hands in front of herself once again. 

"Be calm, sometimes to be like the rest of them, we simply need to belong..." Reeza felt the same as the young creation did most times, yet without the excuse of being a creation.[/quote]
[color=a187be][center][h1]A R S E N I O[/h1][/center][/color]
[hr][hr]

Arsenio smiled up at the two ladies who had offered him reassurance. It hadn't occurred to him until now, but he had been afraid. Now he simply had an optimistic, healthy apprehension, knowing that he had allies. As Reeza and Professor Grey conversed, Arsenio quietly took a seat nearby and decided he should read the book that Alexander had suggested, or at least make a show of it. His eyes occasionally darted up, either to see who else had entered, or to admire Lorelei, Reeza's doll, whose construction was more sophisticated than his own in many regards. What appeared to be a married couple approached, followed by a harsh-looking noblewoman. Arsenio continued to read, though his ears perked up at the argument that followed. As something of a trickster who saw himself above certain human emotions (which was entirely untrue), petty arguments were entertaining to Arsenio. Being perceived as a child, he would never be expected to intervene, nor would he have any authority to do so. Though the letter from Supreme Commander Osborne had failed to mention who exactly had chosen to employ Arsenio's unique talents, Professor Grey had mentioned a female 'Captain Kingsford', and since Arsenio had been the fourth in the room, ruling Alexander out of course, him being a man and all, Arsenio could only surmise that one of the two women in the room when he entered must be their host. Arsenio wondered what the good Captain was waiting for, as the library was getting quite crowded with colorful characters.