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

[everyredcent]

A century? [ he considers for a moment, trying to place the occasion. ] The first World War?

[socialgraces]

[ she shakes her head, smirking as she looks down ] Nothing quite so consequential, no, but... much more relevant to me, and you. [ a lilt of uncertainty clings to her last words as she raises her gaze back to his ] This is what I wore to my squiring party.

[everyredcent]

[ the explanation earns her a once-over as he apparently reconsiders his own nostalgic feelings, putting a place to them. something very close to a smile ghosts up the corner of his lips. ] Is it?

You know, I thought there was an air of deja vu to all this.

[socialgraces]

Then I suppose it had the desired effect. [ she grins more openly now, finishing off her own drink to discard her glass, as well ] It seems unfair to ask, but... what do you remember of my squiring party? Besides, apparently, this dress. [ which, in his defense, is quite a memorable dress, most especially back in 1904 ]

[everyredcent]

Perhaps less than I should. [ it's a reluctant admission, but she already knows all about his days of alcoholism, there's no point in denying them ] You were the only point of interest I can recall.

[socialgraces]

[ she appears quite satisfied with that answer, in all it's candor, and seems at a loss for words for the moment, her lips parting slightly to murmur a simple: ] Oh? [ and then the moment passes, and she's grinning again with a renewed confidence that appears to be coupled with a less-than-subtle air of flirtation ] I actually recall very little of it that doesn't involve you, either, so I'm led to assume you were the highlight of my evening, as well. [ under her breath, almost as an afterthought, she tacks on: ] You usually are.

[everyredcent]

[ his eyebrows lift a little bit, and then he looks honestly as if he does not even know what to say for a moment. he finally looks down, clears his throat, mutters: ] Yes, well... [ and that's as far as he can get rn b/c he crit failed a+ ]

[socialgraces]

[ well she rolled a nat 20 composure check, or will save, or whatever this should be, so she's just gonna get this out before she loses her nerve ] There is one memory that stands out above all the rest, though - one event I've repeatedly wished to rectify - and I had hoped wearing this dress tonight would allow me an excuse, after one hundred and ten years of uncertainty, [ she sounds incredulous herself at that statement, at being forced to accept how ridiculous this must all sound. how ridiculous it all is, really. ] to finally bring it up once more.

[everyredcent]

Oh? [ he looks up now, clearly uncertain where this is going and unbalanced for it ] And what might that be?

[socialgraces]

[ really christos, what's the worst thing she could say? oh, right, probably the thing she is going to say.

but with a will save of 25, she still hasn't lost her resolve, and she turns to fully face him, an unmistakable vulnerability behind both her expression and her words. ] That night I had suggested that we dance, given the nature of the affair. You scoffed at the idea, of course, [ she heavily emphasizes his predictability, but looks endeared by it, all the same ] and I didn't think much of it, at the time.

[everyredcent]

Well, that may have had something to do with the fact that I have rarely, if ever, found myself inclined to dance. [ ahahaha he looks mildly panicked like is this happening ]

[socialgraces]

I assumed as much. [ she sighs softly, wetting her lips as she purses them together. she still appears much more relaxed than him, however, and she hasn't given up quite yet. ] Does that mean I shouldn't even ask? Despite the dress, [ which she'll shamelessly draw his attention back to now with a motion of her hand ] and the deja vu, and every time I've wanted to, but haven't asked in the hundred and ten years since then? [ diplomacy 52 ]

[everyredcent]

[ he almost actually stammers, his mouth flopping open, then closed, before he finally makes words, staring at her like a deer in the headlights. the words come out a little wooden as if he does not know how to form english anymore. ] Well, I--

I suppose it couldn't hurt.

[socialgraces]

I should hope not. I promise I won't step on your feet.

[ she's grinning again, her expression a little closer to giddy than she'd normally be comfortable with, but this is a moment out of time, and she's going to indulge in it all she wants. her eyebrows lift expectantly as she holds out a hand for him, waiting on his lead. ]

[everyredcent]

I can assure you that's the least of my worries. [ he looks down at her hand for a beat, before reaching out to take it, drawing her out towards the floor. he casts a furtive look around, as if he expects everyone to start staring at them, before turning to face her, sliding one hand around her waist, lifting their joined hands and falling into step. with a whole 10 dance check, i think it's fair to say that his rust is showing. ]

[socialgraces]

[ she doesn't appear to mind, or even take notice of his unpracticed steps, her own body readily yielding to his lead (dance 33 with charm). she skims her hand along his arm, before bringing it to rest comfortably on his shoulder, and actually moves in half a step closer, looking quite content with their current position, despite his discomfort.

with an easy smile, she holds his gaze, clearly attempting to monopolize his attention, as well as put him more at ease. ] It's alright, you can relax, no one's watching us. Even if they were, no one else matters right now.

It's just you and I. [ charm 55 ]

[everyredcent]

[ look, he at least rolled an 18 so he can keep his cool fully intact. on the surface. ] I'm afraid it's been some time since I had any occasion to do this... sort of thing.

[socialgraces]

Well, then, I'm honored. [ her smile widens, revealing teeth, and she appears to be enjoying herself despite his reservations ] Even if it did take us this long... it was well worth the wait.

[everyredcent]

Your penchant for flattery notwithstanding, I've certain you've a bevy of more experienced dancers practically chomping at the bit for the opportunity. [ despite his words, he clearly... is flattered lmfao dammit ]

[socialgraces]

[ say it again - natasha bedingfield ]

That's quite beside the point. [ she rolls her eyes, sighing deeply ] As you can see, I've kept my dance card completely open on the off-chance you might deign to indulge me. I would like to think that speaks for something - something a bit more substantial than mere flattery.

[everyredcent]

More substantial. [ he repeats the words cautiously, turning them over as if to suss out their precise meaning. ] Well, it certainly marks me a fortunate man. [ there's still a hint of skepticism in his voice, as if he's waiting for some other shoe to drop. uncertain how to pursue that line of conversation further, however, he turns to something more neutral. ] Have you been enjoying your evening?

[socialgraces]

[ she's watching him closely as he mulls over her words, and luckily she rolled a 37 sense motive check not to mistake his skepticism for sarcasm, because that's usually how christos's skepticism comes across. she is, however, visibly surprised when he changes topic, her face falling in confusion, but it would be rude to just ignore his question, and so she answers rather mechanically: ] I suppose so, though - at risk of sounding trite - this has been the highlight of my night.

[ her tone takes a curious turn, and she returns to something he mentioned before, a smile creeping its way across her lips again ] You consider yourself a fortunate man, despite your aversion to dancing?

[everyredcent]

In that I'm certainly the envy of all those men who take to staring at you across the room with all the subtlety of a battleaxe, yes.

[socialgraces]

Good. Let them stare. You and I both know I didn't get dressed up tonight for them.

[everyredcent]

I suppose they are rather below your notice. [ he looks at her cannily ]