after-party ♔ la lune trop pale caresse l'opale de tes yeux blases

[wynn]

♬ Complainte du la Butte - Rufus Wainwright

WHO || Wynn, any and all Knights
WHAT || Squiring Ceremony Afterparty
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Ballroom
WHEN || February 1st, 2012, 9:00PM
HOW || Prose OR Actionspam

The "afterparty" is rumored to be the real main event of the night. A black-tie affair in the lavish, opulent ballroom, it is every new Knight's chance to mingle and meet some of their new brothers in arms. Of course, a couple hours are provided following the ceremony for everyone to change, do hair and makeup, and choose from the vast array of formal attire in the closets of the balcony "dressing rooms" located at the top of spiraled staircases on either side of the ballroom. A separate dressing room exists for men and women, and they include full bathrooms (with, thankfully, very modern plumbing).

The squires are usually among the last to arrive, and the ballroom is full to the brim with a fancy array of people, of all shapes, sizes and species.

Hope none of you are shy. They're all here to meet you.

Feel free to make your own open threads for people to come congratulate your newly pledged knight.

Comments

Sir Jack Chessing | open

[chessing]

[Oh so sharply dressed in a ridiculously good looking tuxedo is this classy gentleman, who can be seen speaking in low tones to Wynn in what seems to be a much more familiar manner than ... anyone else does. There's still a definite deference in the way he nods a formal goodbye to the Knight's leader, however, as he trails his way through the crowd to snag a drink off a tray.

Approach him, ask around about him, or wait til he walks up to you, whatever floats your boat.]

[slays]

[ Buffy decides to bother someone to ask abou Jack Chessing -- according to Wynn, he was the knight she'd be squired under. Which, y'know, great, minus that whole part about not even knowing what he looks like. Luckily, they manage to point out the ... single stuffiest looking british guy in the room.

Ho boy.

She heads over, stepping up behind him and clearing her throat awkwardly. ] Uh. Hi, ... You.

[chessing]

[Well, he's at least had plenty of chances to learn who you are, what with Wynn announcing your names multiple times in front of everyone 8| So he offers a polite smile when she approaches.] Ah, yes.

[He extends a hand] Jack Chessing. Pleasure.

[slays]

[ She shakes his hand. ] Right. That's what -- [ She waves vaguely back at the knight who'd directed her over to him. ] I asked around. I, I think ... you're supposed to teach me. I'm Buffy.

[chessing]

So I'd heard. [He withdraws his hand, following her gaze, and slight smile lines form at the corner of his eyes as he nods to the Knight in question, before looking back at her.] I feel I must apologize, before we've even begun.

[slays]

Apologize? There's apologizing to be done now? For what?

[chessing]

I'm afraid that due to the nature of my position, your squiring will be a bit... unconventional. My schedule makes different demands from the other Knights, you see, and there are missions you will not be allowed to accompany me on, for various reasons.

But, [he adds, quickly] I will make certain to arrange for you to work with other Knights in my stead, should I plan to be gone for a significant period of time.

[slay]

[ She knows she should just accept it and leave well enough alone, but Buffy is nothing if not inquisitive. So, she leaves it for a moment, then reluctantly asks; ] Like what? [ A beat. She wrings her hands a little. ] It's just -- You said there were various reasons. For not bringing me along. And I was just wondering ... what kinda reasons? I mean, I'm supposed to be all knight-in-training gal, so shouldn't I get the scoop of ... you know. All the knight stuff? [ It's sketchy and she can't shake the suspicion about it. Secreeeets. ]

[dragonsclaw]

[He doesn't seem at all bothered by the line of questioning, and just smiles pleasantly.]

Dragon's Claws are the sole agents of the Knighthood who are sent on missions to work on our own, generally because the mission deals with incredibly sensitive information, or perhaps is in the middle of a tense political climate. There are infinite scenarios that could call for our deployment.

It's also, quite simply, that these scenarios tend to be a bit more hazardous than what the others Knights are, ah, accustomed to. For one who is only beginning their training, it would seem remarkably unwise to expect anyone to know what to do in such situations.

However. [Warmly:] I will be more than happy to give you the rest of the... scoop, as you say. And not every mission I undertake is of such an unusual caliber.

[slays]

So, they're not all secret and James Bond-y? I mean, not that I thought Wynn was sending people to go secretly assassinate the enemies of the Queen, or anything, just. You know. [ Awk-ward. ]

[chessing]

[A chuckle] They often require great discretion, yes, but not because of questionable ethics.

[slay]

Oh! Right. Obviously. 'Cause, you know. Knights and all.

[chessing]

Precisely.

Either way, once again, I apologize for the unconventional nature of your squiring period in advance. It's quite rare for Dragon's Claws to take squires at all, but Wynn thought it would be a good idea, and I trust his judgment implicitly.

[slays]

Wynn stuck you with me? [ She deflates a little. ] I mean, it was his idea. It's not like you picked me out of the line-up and were like "that Buffy, that's the one I want to," uh, "squire."

[chessing]

Not... as such, no. [He sounds a bit chagrined, as if he didn't mean to admit as much and potentially hurt her feelings] But to be honest, few of us do. Generally, squires are joined to whichever member of the Knights they had previously encountered, but Wynn doesn't take his own squires.

[slays]

Right. Boss guy and all. [ Which leaves her with ... a stranger who apparently wouldn't normally even have a squire and therefore probably has zero patience for putting up with having one and yaaay Buffy. Good job. ] I'm ... sorry. I mean, I didn't exactly pick who I got scooped up by. If I'd known he was just gonna dump me off on you, I totally wouldn't have -- [ Awkward. She's floundering a little now. She drums up a forced smile. ]

But I'm looking forward to our training sessions. [ A beat, the smile deflates, and she turns to glance quickly over her shoulder. Abort, abort. Escape situation. It's not beneficial to her emotional state in any way. ]

Anyway, you know, I should really just ... [ The awkwardness increases and she just holds up her hands, palms out, fingers spread, in a gesture of simultaneous forfeit and ican't. ] Not ... be here. [ She starts to back off. ]

[dragonsclaw]

[He looks a bit taken aback by her apologizing] You have nothing to be sorry for, Miss Summers. I'm more than pleased to accept the position - I just ask you to bear with the unusual pacing it might require.

[Sensing her utter awkwardness, he nods at the dance floor]

Have you had a chance to meet many of your fellow members yet?

[slay]

As of right this second? { A beat, she heaves a telling sigh. ] Not exactly. I was thinking that I could maybe, you know. Observe my fellow members from a safe distance.

[dragonsclaw]

[He raises a brow cautiously, but then seems to recognize what she's doing, and turns his expression back towards them. His tone is sympathetic, but it's not laced with pity.]

I imagine it's difficult - knowing how to introduce oneself when one is not entirely assured who one is.

[He flashes her a brief half smile.]

[slays]

[ There's a pause, and then; ]

This is your stern, teacherly way of telling me that I should go socialize with kids my own age, huh?

[chessing]

Nothing of the sort. But you may find them better company, at least.

[slays]

What's wrong with your company? I like your company. Or, well, I'd better like your company, 'cause, you know, kinda stuck with it in a big way. N-Not that I wouldn't want to be stuck with it ...

[dragonsclaw]

[He's just going to politely let her ... keep verbally tripping over herself, until he's sure she's finished. There's a noiseless chuckle as he glances down at the floor.]

I wasn't trying to run you off.

[slay]

... Oh! Right. 'Cause, you know, with the -- Right. [ Awkward. ] So, I'll just go get to know my fellow squires better.

[dragonsclaw]

Try to have a good time. We'll meet tomorrow, and I can answer any of your questions then.