after-party ♔ march

[wynn]

♬ Jeux d'eau - Ravel

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 || March 1st, 2015, 6:00PM [backdated]
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 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

[daredtobelieve]

I'm afraid not. [And not even the strangest part. But she's not quite able to approach that just yet.]

I'm a bit of a rare case, though.

[bagsthem]

But it doesn't make any sense. Even if my memories are more screwed up than I thought, I still don't look forty years older, and I'm pretty sure I didn't end up with your ability too.

[Too. Because she sure did end up with one of them.]

This is so messed up.

[daredtobelieve]

[Her wisdom check was appalling so she's not going to pick up on that 'too' bit apparently. So distraught she's not really that perceptive.]

You've got no idea... [She shakes her head slightly before finally reaching out and lightly touching Ashley's hand with her own.]

It's really you, isn't it?

[bagsthem]

Of course it's me. Who else would I be?

[Her voice cracks a little, and as she looks down, she doesn't let Helen just touch her hand, but reaches out and takes it, giving it a squeeze.]

I gotta admit, you're kind of freaking me out a little, though.

[daredtobelieve]

[She glances down at her daughter's hand in her own. Memories flash through her mind of a thousand times they've done this. Tears spring to her eyes.]

I never thought I would see you again. [She says so quietly, gaze still dropped to their hands. Finally, she looks up.]

Ashley...

[bagsthem]

[Watching her mother almost cry has an immediate effect on her, and she feels her own eyes starting to sting as her lips press together.

She releases her hands, instead reaching out and wrapping her arms around her mother's neck, pulling her into a tight hug.]

I missed you too.

[Six months was still a really long time in her eyes.]

[daredtobelieve]

[Her arms move by instinct, gathering Ashley into her arms and holding on tight.]

Oh, my dear girl. [Her eyes shut tight as a few tears slip down her cheeks.]

[bagsthem]

[She doesn't pull away when she speaks again, just keeps holding on and talking quietly against her mother's hair.]

When they told me about this place, it felt kind of like I was coming home. [She laughs through her tears.] If you were going to be anywhere, it was going to be a place like this.

[daredtobelieve]

[Her hand reaches up to smooth Ashley's hair, laughing lightly in response. Each moment that passes feel even more real. But she doesn't understand how it could be possible. Ashley was dead.

Unless...

Had the Veil taken her just as she teleported, whisked her away? Was that possible?

Helen pulls back and places her hands on either side of her daughter's face.]

You are home.

[She knows that she should tell her about what happened, how it played out on her end of things. But she can't. She can't tell her that they buried her- or buried what they could in honor of her.]

[bagsthem]

Yeah. I am.

[She smiles between her mother's hands, laughing a bit.]

It sounds like we've got some catching up to do, huh?

[daredtobelieve]

Yes, I think we do. But it can wait. This is your party, after all.

[Her daughter, the squire. It's not hard to see just how damn proud that makes her.]

[bagsthem]

It's just a party, Mom. Don't get me wrong, I like letting loose once in awhile, but...

[She does not fit in with ballgowns and champagne, okay.]

[daredtobelieve]

I know. [And she does. She knows that Ashley wouldn't ever be completely comfortable in a setting like this.] But if you're going to be a part of this organization, you're going to need to get to know at least some of them.

[This isn't the Sanctuary that Ashley grew up in, where all of the most important people had the pleasure of knowing her since she was young enough to bounce on a knee. She has to start from the ground up here, just as Helen did. Not that she doesn't think that Ashley can manage it. Oh no- she has all the faith in the world.]

[bagsthem]

[She groans a little.]

You mean I have to mingle. [Worst.] Can't I just, I don't know, chat people up in the training room?

[She's not going to get out of this, is she...]

[daredtobelieve]

You can do that as well, yes. The one here is quite extensive. But this party is for you and the other squires. Not everyone makes it to the training room, but a great of people try to make an appearance here.

[bagsthem]

How can anyone be a Knight and not hit the training room?

[But she shrugs her shoulders.]

Alright, I'll try to meet some people. [She doesn't look too happy about it, though.] We'll talk more soon, alright?

[daredtobelieve]

Very soon. You can count on it. [Like possibly later that night. She's not exactly going to be able to stay away. Helen just needs a moment to clear her head and does want Ashley to make friends here.]