He should have paced himself with the drink, for now Reichenbach had that same, familiar feeling that the world was moving sluggishly, that his head was heavy, his movements sloppy. He could go either way when drunk - he could be the life of the party, or withdraw into darker thoughts, memories washing over him like so many waves. Tonight, despite the electric atmosphere, he was turning toward the latter. He hadn't been around such a crowd for a long time, and with the flush of red light from the bonfire and the dip of long shadows it was easy to mistake a face. Too many times he was lost staring into the flames or peering through shadow with his heart thudding heavily in his chest only to confirm that he had been staring at a stranger and not a memory from too long ago.  He watched the flames now, the orange and crimson flickering in the silver of his long lashed eyes.

Closing his eyes briefly to warm his eyelids, he loosed a full, heavy sigh. As every ounce of air from his lungs left his body, he pulled and tugged at the shadow over his heart, placing it under a thin veil of warmth. He would wallow later, in private. His gaze flicked over the mingling bodies around him, landing (by luck, or chance) on the very name tag he had been seeking. With a less than steady tread, he made his way to her side; "Aelfwine?" Was his baritone question, a low and easy murmur. "I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner. I'm Reichenbach, or Reich - I know it's a bit of a mouthful" A warmth filled his belly as he smiled, returning (as usual) to his friendly, jovial self.

Aelfwine arrived in a tumble of storm clouds and blood, giving cause for Reich's silver eyes to widen slightly, and for his heart to pick up it's steady rhythm within his cavernous chest. He took in her tussled appearance with raised brows, both impressed and surprised as she explained her condition. "I hope you don't fight all your dates" he began, amusement colouring his baritone voice, the smile on his lips widening to a grin. "I guess I spar, but I'm generally more into camping, wandering - and definitely exploring" his lips widened, comfortable around the sweet, amiable Aelfwine. He tossed his ebony curls absentmindedly, his mind brimming with possibilities - if Aelfwine enjoyed exploring, it was likely she enjoyed doing many of the things that he did. Stargazing, camping, music... he couldn't help but to gaze at her, adoration already lining his lustrous eyes. Out of everyone he'd met tonight, she had the most in common with him, and it made him all the more excited to talk with her.

"You live at the Edge?" he queried, eyes lingering on her sharp antlers for a moment before returning to her elegantly boned face. "I've actually been meaning to visit - I've found I can't sleep unless I have seen all of Helovia, it's a remarkable place..." he turned to the fire and back again, the heat warming his dark skin pleasantly ".. with remarkable citizens."