after-party ♔ february

[wynn]

♬ Kodo (Inside the Sun remix) - Yoshida Brothers

WHO || Wynn, any and all Knights not currently on missions (if you are uncertain if your character would be at the castle for this, ask!)
WHAT || Squiring Ceremony Afterparty
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Ballroom
WHEN || February 1st, 2014, 6:00PM [backdated]
HOW || Prose OR Actionspam

The "afterparty" is the real main event of the night at every squiring, but tonight's party is a little different than usual - Faith has successfully lobbied (as in roped people into helping her decorate for) a Chinese New Year's party, or Lunar New Year, theme.  With Knights from all over the world, it was easy to get input from those who traditionally celebrate the holiday, and Wynn is all about the spirit of cultural unity.  Not to mention, the second of the 15 days of the spring festival is all about spending time with one's family and friends.  

The lavish, opulent ballroom has been transformed, filled with red lanterns, peach blossoms, kumquat plants, and chrysanthemums.    People are encouraged to dress in red to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, and avail themselves of the New Year's Cake, golden champagne cocktail, rice pudding, candied fruits, and the Tray of Togetherness.

As always, 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 you aren't 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.

ooc; also if your Knight wants to get all gussied up, you can make a Disguise (Cha) check for how good they were at hair/makeup/stylin', etc! This goes for... any time.

Comments

[bancroft]

Glad to see you haven't lost your celebratory spirit, River. [ thomas is leaning against a wall as brantley passes by. while brantley blends into the decor, thomas stands out like a sore thumb, in his customary beat up trenchcoat and thick boots, a dark slash across the red landscape. ]

[fixyourproblem]

[Oh look! Who's here. Brantley doesn't expect Thomas to attend this kind of party, he seems like the type who gets drowned in his work.] Sir Bancroft. Good to see you here. [He smiles as he nods politely.] I can't keep hanging on the past when we have bigger picture to think of, right? Besides, my first mission is a great success, so that's something to celebrate. [He hasn't moved on yet, so that's a lie (bluff 25).]

[bancroft]

Not to mention we're all still here another day. Cause enough, don't you think?

[fixyourproblem]

Yeah, if we keep going on a mission like that, who knows when a blade passes through our neck. [He doesn't have any intention to bring that up, but his subconscious slips the words in.] Better to enjoy life as much as you can.

[bancroft]

I've known many good Knights who've been on the other end of that blade. Many, over my years here. So believe me when I say, your words ring more true than even you know.

[fixyourproblem]

[His face saddens a bit.]People die in this world. It's inevitable. And no matter who die or how many times it has happened, it is always hard to see one, isn't it?

[bancroft]

Always. As it ever should be. Your conscience is a credit.

[fixyourproblem]

[He releases a sigh before putting on a sarcastic smile, not toward Thomas, but toward himself.] Yeah, but as you've said before, this kind of trait will only get me killed. And with the world as it is nowadays, there's not much use for it.

[bancroft]

It's important to remember that we don't want to kill people when it can be avoided, River. Being able to discern when that's avoidable, and when it's a necessary evil is what's important to develop. Remember - men who come armed into a situation ready to attack and kill anyone trying to interrupt their immoral business accept the moment they willingly take up that gun that their life may be forfeit.

[fixyourproblem]

And men who come armed trying to interrupt immoral business shall be ready to take lives and gives up their lives if necessary. [He knows that. But still, it is easier said than done.] How do you prepare for that kind of situation? To be ready to take lives and give up yours. At least, how do you make it easier?

[bancroft]

Well, it certainly doesn't hurt having a hundred years of experience under my belt. But more feasible advice would be - that the more you see, the more you'll unfortunately come to grips with the notion of very real evil in this world.

[fixyourproblem]

[Hundreds years? He can't possibly achieve that. He is a normal human after all. But he understand that the second advise is as true as it can be. 33 years worth of life experience is enough to comprehend that.] Yeah, guess I just need to stop daydreaming and open my eyes. But it's okay to daydream once in a while, right? We just have to make sure our dream doesn't hinder our action. [Cause he'll never stop dreaming about a better world.]

[bancroft]

It's always good to hope to save more people than we must harm. That's why we originally scripted the plan in a way that would hope to spare us from ever entering the situation. Don't wallow in guilt over making a mistake - but just take this to heart so that the next time you're given orders, you absorb every word and realize it's for a reason.

[fixyourproblem]

[He nods.] I will. [His eyes gleam with resolution as he states his intention. It's more than enough it happened, even if it was just one time.]

[bancroft]

Good. [ thomas' solemn aspect breaks as he suddenly claps brantley on the shoulder with a smile ] And for the gods' sake, cheer up. Don't you know it's a party?

[fixyourproblem]

[Wow, that's unexpected. Maybe he isn't as stern as he seems.] Yeah! Of course! And it's not a party without some drink.[He replies Thomas' smile with another smile.] I recently got a shipment of genuine oriental peach wines directly from China. Do you want some?

[bancroft]

Certainly! It's been some time since I've been to the Orient. Although I should warn you, I would have to drink truckloads of the stuff to feel it. Not that I'm opposed, but I somehow doubt you ordered them by the tank.

[fixyourproblem]

Don't worry, I ordered the strong stuff [60% alcohol is strong, right? Unless Thomas is used to drink pure alcohol, it is more than enough to get them warm.] and there are two large jars of them so I think it's enough to get the two of us drunk more than once. [He had ordered 3 large jars of Chinese wine, each contains almost 50 gallons of wine, and he sent 1 jar to his brother, so they still have 2 jars to enjoy.]

[bancroft]

Well, I'm certainly game to try. But it's that divine constitution, my boy. Aasimars don't get drunk easily.

[fixyourproblem]

[He chuckles a bit at that.] Alright, unless you want a sneak peek of what a bachelor room looks like, you better wait here while I grab the stuff. Now, please excuse me for a moment.

[And then he leaves to his room to get the stuff. After almost 15 minutes, he returns only with a smaller jar and a couple of cups. He tried to carry the whole 300lbs jar at first, but since he couldn't even move it a foot (str 9), he took his time to find a smaller container. (search 18)]

Okay. Do you want to find a better place to drink? [Standing in a middle of a ballroom is hardly a good place to share a drink.]

[bancroft]

[ thomas is easy enough to spot, dancing with alanna when brantley returns, and when he's done he comes right over to brantley to examine the jar with a grin. ] We could take it upstairs to the old timer's tavern. A good place to get rowdy.

[fixyourproblem]

Lead the way! [Brantley cheerfully answers before following Thomas to the tavern.]

[bancroft]

Here, allow me. [ and he'll take some of that to help carry up, leading brantley out into the hallway and towards the big stairs ] Have you done much exploring of the ol' place?

[fixyourproblem]

[Brantley hands over the jar to Thomas when he offers to help.] Pretty much, I can work my way around this place now, but I haven't figured out where we hide the dragon. [He chuckles as he jokes. In a place like this, there must be lots of secret rooms.]

[bancroft]

[ thomas' eyes crinkle in pure amusement. ] I'd imagine it'd prove very difficult. Have you tried under the cushions?