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As Keaton retold her first experience with alcohol, Eli listened with a small grimace. Rum didn't sound like the best, first liquor to taste. Sure, it was fantastic mixed with literally anything, but straight? [i]Yuck.[/i]

She didn't know what to think about what she said about the rich kids getting grounded. Were parties on The Promise anything like a high school party on Earth? There were definitely rich kids on The Promise, too. Eli imagined the rich kid parties on Earth set in huge mansions. With almost movie theater sized TV's and huge swimming pools in the backyard. Stuff she remembered seeing in TV shows and movies. 

Keaton's face fell and she grew silent for a few moments, which made Eli feel sympathy for her. She had to keep reminding herself that her new friends had only been here for a month. They were still grieving for the lives they left behind. Eli gave Keaton a small smile after she changed the topic. She seemed to be doing better than most of the newbies she'd met over the years, but she reminded herself to ask Keaton how she was doing with the transition some other time.

Her attention turned to Lynn next. The girl's expression was contagious, and Eli returned Lynn's wide smile with one of her own. Her eyes crinkled at the edges, thoroughly enjoying Lynn's drunk personality. Was this the real Lynn shining through? Now that she was drunk off her ass, Lynn seemed as if the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders. This was how a girl her age should act, anyways, right? How old was she, anyways? She couldn't have been more than 16. Eli's eyes followed Lynn's spare hand to the scar on her nose. How did a young girl get so many scars?

Unfortunately, Lynn's rambling was interrupted as the 'Fish' arrived. Eli turned to greet him, a smile on her face. He spoke first, his words coming out slowly and with a thick Japanese accent. She knew a way to overcome the language barrier, if he wasn't great with English.

[b]"Don't worry, I have something for the language barri- ... berry, bear... [i]barrier[/i]."[/b]

Lynn's slurs drew an amused grin from Eli and she looked to share the laugh with Keaton and Amelia. It was then that she realized that Amelia was talking to someone, and Keaton was looking in their direction. She followed her gaze to see Archie and Natalie by the drink table. [i]Wow![/i] She thought, her eyes on how amazing Natalie looked. [i]Seriously, this girl is a dark angel.[/i] Archie even looked like a dressed up version of himself. [i]If only he had a nice suit to go with her dress![/i] They would have made homecoming king and queen. She gave Archie and Natalie a wave and a smile, deciding not to approach them. It was best that she give them their space for their first date. They would make it over to the group eventually.

So, Eli turned back to say hello to the Japanese newcomer. "Welcome to the party, Gen," she said with a smile. "If you're having trouble translating, Cara can help you with that. She's an amazing translator. Nothing like that [i]google translate[/i] bullshit." She pulled out her own device, holding it up between the two. "Cara, how many languages can you speak?" She asked her phone.

[b][i]"My database contains all active, written languages. What would you like me to translate, Eli?"[/i][/b]

Eli grinned, looking up at Gen. "Told ya."

It was then that she noticed the other newbie coming their way. She lowered her phone, watching as he cleared the ground between them. He seemed shy as he approached, but once he was close enough to the group he revealed a happy smile. She smiled back as he grabbed a jello shot.

[b]"My name is Nicholas but people tend to like Nic better. I hope that the evening has been kind to you."[/b]

"Hello, Nicholas," Eli began. "It's been a great evening so far." She gestured to the group. "These are my friends Gen, Lynn, Keaton, and Amelia." She gestured to each of them as she said their name, even giggling for a moment as she realized Gen and Lynn had rhymed. "And I'm Eli." She finished with a grin.

"So, what brought you two to this side of the woods?" She asked both Gen and Nicholas.