after-party ♔

[wynn]

♬ Jeux d'eau - Ravel

WHO || Wynn, any and all Knights not currently on missions
WHAT || Squiring Ceremony Afterparty
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Ballroom
WHEN || March 2nd, 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

[lear]

It's certainly different, isn't it!

[ A cheery look over the place, and back to Nessa. ]

Though probably not to you. But I've not long been in Britain, so it's a slightly different sort of celebration than what I'm used to.

[wildmind]

Oh? [That seems to perk up her interest] What exactly are you "used to"?

[lear]

I spent the last few years in China. Went a bit native, I suppose.

[wildmind]

Sounds like you might have some stories.

[lear]

I may.

[ A teasing smile. ]

It's a fascinating culture. Not that I don't like this sort of thing too, being able to simply mingle without too much regard for status. All the little social rituals are a lot more subtle.

[wildmind]

Ohhh, we have our little social statuses too. But as you say - much more subtle, perhaps.

[lear]

For example...?

[wildmind]

Well, I'm sure you've noticed Wynn's inability to really mingle in a crowd. The Dragon's Claws have a bubble of their own, no matter how friendly they might seem. They have to act apart from the rest of us, in the end.

[lear]

Yes, I did notice our fearless leader isn't quite the warmest of socialites.

[ She opens her eyes briefly wider, sarcastic but smiling. ]

The Dragon's Claws — are they top of the food chain?

[wildmind]

[Nessa chortles a bit at that, swishing her drink back and forth] The very top. In fact, should anything happen to said fearless leader, they'd assume control of the entire organization. Even when he's absent on missions of his own, they take over the distribution of mission assignments, etc.

But that's just the technical aspect. Once they've been chosen for the position, they're in it for life, and they're expected to refrain from the sort of casual socialization the rest of us enjoy. Wynn encourages them to keep a certain amount of distance - which certainly doesn't mean they aren't friendly, as you will no doubt discover if you have the pleasure of bumping into Sir Bancroft, but they keep a bubble around themselves, the same as Wynn does.

[lear]

No fraternizing with the lesser mortals, eh? Sounds frightfully dull. So who ranks after the Claws?

[wildmind]

Our section heads. [She nods towards those who are in attendance] Hasmed, of the Dragon's Fire; Lis'sa from the Dragon's Hoard, Dovan of the Dragon's Hide; Solace of the Dragon's Light, and then Sir Koraith who isn't here tonight. But he's impossible to miss when he is - giant gold half dragon and all.

[lear]

[ Lear nods, taking a moment to repeat that list to herself, finding the connections between the names and titles, the musicality, as she carefully commits each of them
to memory. In fact, she probably spends an unusual amount of time looking them all over, even if she tries to be tactful and subtle by keeping her eyes from lingering too long on any one person. ]

Thank you for the information.

[ She turns back to Nessa, finding her social smile again. ]

Any advice for a new girl? What would you go back and tell yourself after your knighting ceremony?

[wildmind]

[She smiles enigmatically] I do.

"It'll always get weirder."

[lear]

Sounds exciting, honestly.

[ Lear finishes her drink with a smile. ]

But I shan't keep you any longer. There's still a hell of a lot of people in this room I haven't mingled with.