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

Spike | Open

[bigbad]

[Spike enters the room wearing lots of black and most certainly no tie or jacket. He doesn't like being around this many people all at once. Or at least, he doesn't think he does. It doesn't help that he can smell all of them.

He's not human. He knows that much. And from the lack of reflection and the way he gets hungrier and hungrier if he doesn't drink blood of all things, it's become pretty clear that he's a vampire. He's still not quite sure what to make of that. He knows that he couldn't stomach eating a living person. Killing... he doesn't think he has it in him. Not in cold blood. He's rude, nasty, and quick to throw a punch, but he'd like to think he's better than that.

But it doesn't make the necks around him look any less delicious. He grabs a glass of wine quickly and heads to the outskirts. Hopefully he'll get through this party quick enough and then he can go to his room and wait for the real stuff to begin.]

[socialgraces]

[And the corner of the outskirts in which you choose to settle is currently also occupied by her. She too is holding a glass of wine and casually observing the rest of the party. Her long white hair is pulled up off her shoulders, leaving a perfect view of her elegantly exposed back.

She glances at you curiously as you get closer. She then turns her attention to her glass, downs the remaining contents in one smooth, graceful drink, and turns to address you.]

Not enjoying being the center of attention? This is your night after all. [She sets the glass down on a nearby table, watching her own movements instead of yours. Slowly, she brings her head back up in your direction, waiting patiently for a response.]

[bigbad]

[Spike may be averse to being a big part of the crowd, but he's never been averse to a conversation with a pretty lady. As far as he knows.]

Not really one for crowds, you know? [He offers her a bit of a grin.] As far as I'm concerned, my part's done. This is for the well-wishers.

[socialgraces]

[She smirks lightly at his reply. She coolly sweeps the room with only the slightest movements of her eyes and effortlessly flags the attention of a waiter carrying a tray of drinks. He promptly arrives beside them and hands her a new drink. Thanking him, she turns back to Spike.]

These parties are usually a little over-the-top, and always crowded, but it's hard to turn down free drinks. [She raises her glass between them.] Congratulations, by the way.

you guys are getting threadjacked so hard rn.

[everyredcent]

[If there's one thing that Christos recognizes, it's the look of a natural predator, and there's something about the way Spike moves, where he looks, something in his demeanor that sets the drow right on edge.

He observes from amidst the crowd until now, when, for some reason, he feels the need to cut right in to the conversation, taking a drink from the same tray and turning in to stand between them]

Well. No one would blame you if you chose to retire for the evening rather than remain. [The words could, potentially, sound sympathetic, kind even, if they were uttered by anyone else. Christos makes them sound downright unwelcoming.

He holds his glass up to clink against Francesca's raised one, shooting her a very tight lipped smile, and raising his eyebrows at her.]

Gasp how dare you.

[bigbad]

[He gives a smile that can pretty accurately be described as a sneer at the other man, then turns very deliberately to the lady. Spike might not love crowds, but he loves people trying to push him into leaving even less.]

Thanks, love. And you're right. [He turns back towards Christos.] The free drinks make it well worth my time.

[socialgraces]

[Total loss of words. She definitely hadn't expected Christos to just suddenly appear in between them, and she's lucky she didn't drop her glass as he clinked his against it. She was, in fact, so thrown off that all she could do was stare between the two of them as they spoke to each other, or at each other.

But then she manages to register all this enough to settle her glare on Christos, matching his inexplicable disbelieving expression with one of her.]

What... are you doing?! [She really sounds more bewildered than angry, as she can not fathom what his motivations could possibly be. And he seriously looks like he's about to start a fight.

She barely even registers what Spike is saying, but turns to him with an apologetic look on her face.]

[everyredcent]

[He speaks loudly, as if to make it clear that Spike isn't going to edge him out so easily] Just coming to meet our newest member. Was there something wrong with that? [He just affixes her with a challenging stare. Daring you to call him out on his shit. 8| Because he figures she won't. He looks back at Spike, and asks quite directly, in an all too nonchalant manner:]

So what did you do before you came to our doors?

[bigbad]

[Spike tilts his head backwards, appraising the drow.]

Don't be jealous, mate, the lady and I were just talking.

[He says it partly because he other guy's being an ass, and partly because he just doesn't want to answer the question. He doesn't know what he did. And that's not really a secret, but it's also not something he wants to talk about with this wanker.

He offers a hand to Francesca, giving her a charming smile.] Name's Spike, by the way.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca takes his hand, almost as if by instinct. Her face softens significantly, but distracted as she is, she doesn't quite smile back.] I'm Francesca. [And she just ignores Christos and all his craziness for the time being.

But she doesn't expect Spike to have to put up with it.] I suppose I should leave you be so you can actually enjoy the rest of your evening. [She kind of mumbles as she says it and heaves a big sigh at the end.]

[everyredcent]

[The blank yet still unfriendly mask on Christos' face doesn't budge an inch, until Francesca speaks her clear goodbye, at which point he steps ahead, as if to make a path for her to walk past him. He speaks in that same flat, condescending tone.]

Yes. Perhaps we should.

[bigbad]

[Spike frowns and puts a hand on Francesca's shoulder before she can leave.] If I wasn't enjoying myself, I'd have gone already. No one's ever accused me of being overly polite. [As far as he knows. He shoots a glower at Christos.] Something I've got in common with your friend, I'd imagine.

[He looks back at her.] Leave if you'd like, but don't do it for me.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca pauses at Spike's touch. She closes her eyes. fml Christos better have a really good reason for making her look like an ass.

She doesn't even bother looking at Christos but instead turns to Spike.] I should go. Trust me. It's only going to get worse.

[And then she gives him her most charming smile, hoping he'll forgive her.] We'll be living in pretty close quarters from here on out so I'm sure I'll see you around. [She covers his hand on her shoulder with her own, before lowering them both and letting go.

She downs the drink in her hand in one fluid swallow.]

And now I really need a cigarette.

[everyredcent]

[DON'T THINK CHRISTOS DIDN'T NOTICE YOU SKIRTING HIS QUESTION, SPIKE. HE WILL LEARN ALL YOUR SECRETS.

that... even you... don't know. Don't ask.

He watches the little exchange mutely. But finally has to add:]

Yes, I imagine we'll all have ample time to get to know one another. [why does it sound so threatening when he says it in that tone]

[bigbad]

[Spike catches the threatening tone and turns back to Christos. He doesn't trust the elf. He doesn't like the way he stepped in and ruined a perfectly nice conversation. He REALLY doesn't like the implied threat in his voice.]

I guess we will at that.

[His voice is cold and similarly threatening. He knows he can hold his own, or he thinks he can, anyway. Bloody amnesia. But he's no afraid of the other guy, that's for sure.

And seriously, find all his secrets. Spike wants to know them too. :-(]

[everyredcent]

Perhaps eventually you'll even be willing to answer my questions. [/calls you out. He seems utterly unperturbed by Spike's cold shoulder, and takes a swig of his drink. He watches Francesca depart, and then moves to walk away, without giving Spike another glance.]