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

DRESSING ROOMS [MALE]

[wynn]

[Welp, boys, here's your first chance to be alone and manly together and meet your fellow male squires without... being in front of hundreds of people together. Small talk, get pretty, whatever you need to do. There are racks and racks of suits and tuxes in here, including many tailor fit to your size. :')

And hair gel. Lots of hair gel.]

[militarized]

[ Ethan is over the suits. He no1curr. Instead, he's pulling a clothing bag out and hanging it up on one of the racks. He unzips the front and inside is a vintage Royal Air Force uniform with all of his awards and rank affixed to it, including loopy cords that, for anyone who spoke the language, indicated his unit. He pulled it out and began to meticulously put it on, snapping fasteners to the bottom of his undershirt and the top of his socks to keep his shirt tucked and his socks up, even. ]

DRESSING ROOMS [LADEEZ]

[wynn]

[Ok, girls, don't let the boys have all the fun. Here's your first chance to be alone and ... probably just as manly together while not being gawked at. Small talk, get pretty, whatever you need to do. There are racks and racks of dresses in here, including many tailor fit to your size. :')

Plus a huge buffet of makeup and hair shit.]

[asap]

[Andie is the first one changed, but she waits for the others to finish before she goes out, just... hanging around and playing with the make-up and hair stuff until she's happy with it.]

This is so cool, guys. I wonder what kinds of training we'll have to do. And missions! I want to do missions.

Sir Jack Chessing | open

[chessing]

[Oh so sharply dressed in a ridiculously good looking tuxedo is this classy gentleman, who can be seen speaking in low tones to Wynn in what seems to be a much more familiar manner than ... anyone else does. There's still a definite deference in the way he nods a formal goodbye to the Knight's leader, however, as he trails his way through the crowd to snag a drink off a tray.

Approach him, ask around about him, or wait til he walks up to you, whatever floats your boat.]

[slays]

[ Buffy decides to bother someone to ask abou Jack Chessing -- according to Wynn, he was the knight she'd be squired under. Which, y'know, great, minus that whole part about not even knowing what he looks like. Luckily, they manage to point out the ... single stuffiest looking british guy in the room.

Ho boy.

She heads over, stepping up behind him and clearing her throat awkwardly. ] Uh. Hi, ... You.

Wynn | open

[wynn]

[Yep, he's at the party too, though he's not exactly dancing on any table tops. He just maintains a dignified stance at the "head" of the room, and while sometimes various Knights approach him to share a word or two, he seems to generate a sort of invisible force field that keeps people from lingering too close for too long. o__o Whatever, he'll want to talk to you guys anyways, I'm sure.]

Buffy Summers | open

[slays]

[ Buffy is hovering. Her hands are held awkwardly in front of her, fingers fidgeting, eyes combing the room. Truth is, she doesn't even know where to start. Which, okay, granted, is probably due in part to the fact that even if she did know anyone here, she wouldn't remember. She didn't remember anything but nightmares. Nightmares that she seriously hoped weren't her life.

It doesn't help that by the time she comes out onto the staircase, the room is already packed. She cringes, watching them all move around and mingle and be merry, and slowly begins the track down the stairwell into the ballroom, where she makes an effort to linger by the wall. ]

[bigbad]

[Spike recognizes her from the squiring ceremony. She looks a lot prettier in a dress. A lot prettier.

He goes over to her, dressed in all black, and gives her a smile.]

Buffy, right?

[cabot]

[Said lingering doesn't render her invisible, however. Unfortunate side effect of wearing bright red. The first person to actually brave approaching her that's not a fellow squire is this guy, who, despite his lying icons, is a dark elf with a shock of white hair. He carries a drink in one hand, and has the other thrust casually in a pocket. While he's dressed up, he has his collar undone, as if no formal occasion CAN CONTAIN HIM should really be taken too seriously. He gives her a bit of a sympathetic smirk as he sidles up beside her.]

Do correct me if I'm wrong, of course, but I'm thinking that despite your rather smashing choice in attire, this isn't the part of the evening you've been looking forward to.

Andie Dodge | Open

[asap]

[Andie dives right into the crowd, eager to get mingling. She knows plenty of the people already at the party, and plus, there are all these cool new squires to get to know. She's wearing a short, green dress light and unobtrusive enough that she can run in it if she needs too. She's got better shoes than in the picture, though. Flat sandals that look nice, but also can support her feet pretty well if she needs to run.

She looks around, smiling at people she knows and people who just seem like they might be nice.]

[rationalizes]

[While Andie can dance lightly through a crowd, Gar's not quite as good at it, and she backs right into her, turning sharply with a look of surprise] Oh, pardon me!

[She flashes a smile once she registers who it is] Oh, you're one of new members! I'm sorry, I couldn't catch your name during the ceremony...

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.]

Ethan Mavery }{ open

[militarized]

[ Ethan manages to stand out in the crowd pretty easily due to his decision to skip out on the standard formalwear of a suit or tux and instead don the blue dress uniform of the Queen's Air Force, including all the bells and whistles. Old habits. A military man never finds himself in a tux, because the dress uniform is always the formal attire.

Once he's down the stairs and in the actual party, he seems to blend right in, charismatic and chatty. He spends some time at the refreshments table hooking himself up with finger food and a glass of champagne, then goes about on introducing himself to the pretty ladies. :) ]

[socialgraces]

[Francesca can't help but take a moment to admire the man in uniform, if only for customary appreciation. She watches him effortlessly move from person to person, and casually positions herself in his line of sight, should he look up. She then nonchalantly makes light conversation with a fellow Knight, keeping it short and making herself open for his approach. She's not really trying to be sneaky, this is just usual conduct for her in social settings.]

[postergirl]

[Welp, this pretty lady is probably going to introduce herself when she sees him making the rounds. She'll just sliiiiide her way around whoever he happens to be talking to, and dump her drink on their shoe by "accident". How unfortunate.] Oh, how silly of me! [It couldn't be more fake if she tried, which she is ... not really bothering to do as she turns to the other girl] Lucky they have so many extra pairs right upstairs. [She shoots her a territorial grin, before turning on her heel to look Mister Captain here up and down, leisurely and quite openly checking him out.]

... Well, hello. God save the Queen.

Martha Jones / open

[aproperdoctor]

[Martha is back to feeling a little awkward in the crowd of strangers. This isn't her world, after all, and she's acutely aware that she's an outsider, Knight or no. Still, she's a pretty damn hot outsider in this dress. She sips a glass of wine, watching the other Knights circulate about the room.]

[rationalizes]

[Annnd Gar finds her way over, looking nice in a practically long sleeved black dress. She doesn't have a glass in hand, but she steps forward hesitantly drawing her arms out as if to give the other woman a hug without really knowing how she'll receive it, since they're still practically strangers. She can always change it into an awkward shoulder clasp at the last minute if Martha doesn't look into the hug thing.]

You did marvelously back there. I was thoroughly impressed!

[thebetrayer]

[Since they're both being lonely lurkers, it's only natural that they lurk into each other, right? He smiles and tips his champagne glass towards her as a greeting.]

Hey, you were just knighted too, weren't you?

Alainn / Open

[attollores]

[Alainn walks in behind some of the other Knights, her eyes lit with curiosity as she looks around for the newer faces. She's glad this isn't her squiring ceremony and can really enjoy this one. She gathers up the bottom of her dress as she continues walking, snagging a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

She smiles in a friendly manner as she sees other Knights she knows and recognizes, her eyes still searching the crowd.]

[postergirl]

[Just who you want Alainn to get right off the bat :) She's standing there, watching everyone as well, when her eyes light on Alainn and she smirks. They haven't really spoken, but she's seen her around enough.]

Couldn't find a little tux for your feathered friend?

Francesca | Open

[socialgraces]

[Francesca's used to these Squire introduction parties - she's been to a lot of them. Probably more than she could count, honestly. But she can't deny that she loves getting dressed up. And after so many years of these formal affairs, she's become very good at looking good. But tonight, she had done her best yet, not that she had anyone to impress.

She arrives fashionably late, per usual, and makes her way into the ballroom. Her heels only give her a couple inches and she still finds it difficult to navigate through the towering crowd. She quickly makes her way to the edge of the room to take note of those attending, but she's not looking for anyone in particular. She fluidly appropriates a glass of wine from a passing waiters' tray and smiles politely at those who glance in her direction. And she waits.

Even she's not even quite sure exactly what she's waiting for.]

[telekinect]

[Well Tia's also scored a nat 20 looking-hot check, so you two can start a club. She's done all up in a beautiful purple dress, and doesn't seem to care that she ... really doesn't have anyone to impress. Whatever, she will enjoy her wine and give no fucks, like a boss]

I heard you also scored a squire out of this.

Vanille // open

[oerban]

[She shows up a little later than the others, wearing a little pink dress that puts her at ease, especially compared to the armor she had to previously wear. The dress is so light and airy she finds herself nearly dancing her way everywhere, moving on her tiptoes with a bounce as she glides from place to place.

Despite not knowing anyone, she finds herself making the rounds and introducing herself to people. If they were standing alone at any point, it's a good chance she approaches them to speak. Actually, the odds are probably better that she bumps into them before speaking. ]

[sirstickuphisass]

[Annnnd she bumps into the back of this guy, causing him to slosh champagne all over the front of his shirt. He lets out a sound of distaste, turning around and shaking his one sleeve, before fixing her with a bitch stare]

Do you wanna watch where you're going?

Sven / Open

[thebetrayer]

[Sven is wearing a white dress shirt and black suit jacket, but still manages to look incredibly informal. Maybe it's the hair. The hair that makes you wonder if he's ever been introduced to a hairbrush. (This is actually what it looks like on a good day.) Whatever, he's beyond things like caring.

He's also lurking in the corner with the champagne he just scored, scoping out the crowd of knights instead of ... actually being part of them. He's still trying to get a feel for the room.]

[nosdacaraid]

[Both hands shoved in the pockets of a pretty nice suit that would actually make this guy look classy if it weren't complemented with a bright yellow tie, he winds his way over to Sven, and offers him a crooked smile]

Hey uh, just wanted to say welcome aboard! [The smile turns a bit awkward as he apparently doesn't... know what else to say right away] Unless you'd rather hang out over here... alone.

closed to francesca // outside

[everyredcent]

[It's after a brief period that Christos also winds his way outside, digging a clove cigarette out of his pocket as he stands there beyond the archway, glancing in both directions as casually as he can.

He spots the figure further down and takes his time walking in that direction, looking out over the railing at the expanse of snow across the gardens. He stops a few feet from her, turned outwards and doesn't speak for a moment, instead reaching in his pocket to draw out a lighter.

And then leaps to defensiveness.]

He was practically stalking the ballroom. Surely you must have noticed.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca doesn't respond immediately, a plethora of emotions coursing through her, most of them incomprehensible in her inebriated state. She thoughtlessly flicks her cigarette but off the side of the balcony and turns to face him, hoping her face isn't portraying her inner conflict.]

Stalking? Really? [She wants to add: "Isn't that exactly what you were doing?" but stops herself. Barely.] And what do you think he would be looking for exactly? [While she's mostly accusing in tone, a hint of genuine curiosity can be noted in her voice as well.]