after-party ♔ may

[wynn]

♬ Jeux d'eau - Ravel

WHO || Wynn, any and all Knights not currently on missions (brazil & nevada groups will be returned! 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 || May 1st, 2013, 6:00PM
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 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

Phineas; always looking for touble, without realizing he's already found it. OTA

[thesleeper]

[Looking quite stellar with a magically fortified disguise check of 20, Phineas feels quite as untouchable as ever. A month has passed since his own squiring ceremony, and though he has little to show for it, he feels quite comfortable knowing he's at least a bit ahead of these new recruits in terms of time. Also he's feeling quite good with a drink in hand - he rather enjoys these parties that Wynn throws. He kicks back and sips the martini, looking about the room to see if his good friend Thoster will make an appearance at this party. In the meantime, he scans the room, taking particular time to survey all the well-dressed ladies in attendance.]

Well. If Thoster doesn't show, he's missing out on a fine view, at the very least.

[asap]

You know Thoster?

[Andie had been running by when she heard him, and now she halts, materializing as if from nowhere and looking over at him curiously. ]

[thesleeper]

[Phineas is caught off-guard by her sudden appearance (Reflex of 6... Must be the liquor)]

I... uh... Erm, that is - Yes. Thoster and I met here at last month's party. Great fellow that one... [He looks her up & down, and suddenly finds himself hoping Thoster will be too busy to make an appearance tonight.] though... he's a bit much sometimes. [Sorry buddy. I'd hope you would do the same.]

Can I get you a drink? That's a gorgeous dress you're wearing.

[asap]

[Wis 11 means she does not comprehend his intentions even a little.] Huh? Don't bother, I'd get really bored waiting for you. [In demonstration she zips off and grabs... a sandwich. Being this fast all the time requires fuel! Way better than alcohol. She reappears after barely half a second, so mostly she just sort of flickers and blurs before holding her sandwich up triumphantly.] See? Do you want one too?

[thesleeper]

[Phineas blinks, and nearly misses her. He does a bit of a double-take... not quite sure what to make of this one. ]

Hah! I'm quite alright with just this drink, thanks. [He is actually starving, but he simply can't ask a woman to fetch him a sandwich... much too improper.]

So, tell me, how is it a radiant creature such as yourself knows Thoster? [He takes a drink, leaning back a bit.]

[asap]

[She polishes off the sandwich pretty quickly too.] We've done a few missions together! And... stuff. [She flushes a little. Her relationship with Thoster isn't very established, for all that they've known each other so long now.]

[thesleeper]

[Sensing a story behind her first comment thus far that had any sort of a pause in it, not to mention her face flushing, he decided to pry a bit deeper. He takes a step back, feigning bewilderment (Bluff 18)]

And... Stuff?! You mean THE Thoster has been on several missions with you? Known you for what then... Months? Don't tell me - years? And it's 'just business.'

[He leans in, half-whispering]
You mean to say... you two aren't... betrothed? Or courting, or whatever the term is here?

[Rocking back, and speaking in a voice like a concerned, disappointed parent]
I have to say, I'm a bit disappointed in him... I mean [He looks her over again] let's face it, you're way out of his league - but he should have at least tried to woo you... I'll have to talk some sense into him when next I see him - A woman as gorgeous as you should never have to be alone at a party...

[asap]

[Sense motive 9, she's got no clue. But she's also waving her hands so fast they blur and looking a little distressed. She only picked up on some of that (concentration 9) because sometimes she gets very easily distracted and THAT DEFINITELY DISTRACTED HER.]

Woah, woah, woah! No betrothing! That's way fast even for me. Do you have like any idea how many centuries I could live? I'm not getting betrothed until I'm like fifty! Maybe not even then! And... did you call me gorgeous?

[Whoops, re-distracted, and blushing a little.]

[thesleeper]

[He's going to keep this going, but he's not entirely sure if he's just out to cause trouble now, or if he's genuinely getting a little interested in this one... Perhaps more than a little of both.]

Gorgeous? Well, sure... Back in the Dalelands, a girl like you would have been the Belle of any harvest ball we'd have had. Not a prettier soul for hundreds of miles, if that. [Going to bypass what would otherwise be abject failure in rolling a Cha check, and just use my Silver Tongue skill to bluff though this one with a Bluff total of 18]

And, by that same token, you'd have a host of suitors trailing you... Though, I suppose that's more of a local custom, based on your reaction...

[He's still digesting that little bit about 'living for centuries'... Would that make her still a child by her people's standards? Moral dilemma...]

So Thoster's never mentioned anything of the sort?
[Maybe he's just not interested... "I mean come on Phineas," (Says Head-Phineas) "He should have said something by now... You two talked about women for a good while, and he didn't even mention this little cherub." ... Phineas concluded that the voice in his head had a solid point.]

[asap]

Marriage? No. He's just... we're not... that way. [She looks pretty uncomfortable with the topic, her eyes darting around for an escape. She brightens. Subject change! That should help, right?] What's the Dalelands?

[thesleeper]

[Phineas smiles at her discomfort, and decides it's best to stop bothering her. Whatever's going on between Thoster and her seems to be somewhat serious, despite their apparent lack of commitment.]

Oh, the dales... they're a loose collective of city-states that all have their own laws and customs. They're so small and close-knit they're just collectively referred to as 'the dales,' though they aren't necessarily allied - there's been several wars...

[He gets a bit white in the face, and takes a drink]

I spent most of my life in Featherdale, though my family's ancient holdings were in Sessrendale. It was a wasteland before I went there, ravaged by war with the land salted and useless - but our vault was luckily untouched. That was where I spent my days training to be a mage.

[He takes another drink, visibly shaken a bit by the recollection. Also Bluff DC18: He's reciting most of this from stories he's read - not from his actual memory. Close-ish though. If you catch him he'll probably come clean.]

What about yourself? Any memories of your old home left?

[asap]

Oh, sure. Lots of sun, warm beaches, and a Starbucks on every corner. [She giggles.] I'm from California. It's in this world. [A beat.] Well, actually I guess I was born here in London. My parents were knights. My grandma too.

[thesleeper]

Well, that sounds a bit less depressing than my own tale... Depending on what a 'Star... Bucks' is.

You'll have to show me on a map where this 'California' is sometime. Must be nice to have all of this part of your heritage, I'd imagine it would make all of this seem like second nature to you, eh?

[sirsolace]

[ someone takes note of your oogling all the ladies, phineas, and looks on disapprovingly from a short distance from where you stand. he's garbed in solid gray robes and a red skullcap. a chain around his neck carries the symbol of a pair of white human hands bound at the wrists with a blood red cord. phineas would immediately recognize it as the symbol of ilmater, the crying god. the color of his vestments marks him as a senior priest. ]

[thesleeper]

[Phineas stops for a moment, swirls his drink, and attempts to look away from the priest - but he can't help but feel the other man's eyes boring into him.]

[After a moment, he sighs, and meanders over. Maybe he's one of the good ones. Hard to peg these Ilmater lot.]

'Evening sir. Wonderful party, isn't it?

[There's a noticeable air of at least somewhat feigned respect (Bluff 18) for the holy man. Phineas wants little to do with church-types, but he actively avoids confrontation with their ilk.]

[sirsolace]

If one enjoys this sort of thing, I imagine Wynn never disappoints.

[thesleeper]

You make it sound as though you aren't enjoying yourself, Sir.

Perhaps I could entertain you for a bit? I'm Phineas Dantalion, one of the newer squires.

[He raises his glass, but doesn't extend his hand, hoping to keep the old man from seeing his strange tattoo - and generally not wanting to shake hands with a man of the cloth.]

[sirsolace]

I'm aware of who you are. [ something in his tone makes it seem like he knows more than just your name, too ] What sort of entertainment were you considering, Sir Dantalion?

[thesleeper]

[A bit taken aback by all the ominous overtones, Phineas stares at the man for a moment]

Well... I'm not entirely sure. What does a servant of the 'crying God' do for fun, sir...?

[sirsolace]

My recreational hours are few and far between. I'm an old man, and my tastes are simple. A warm light to read by and a good book are all the entertainment I require.

[thesleeper]

Anything specifically pique your interests? I intend to collect a lot of... reading materials... when my missions allow it. I could keep an eye open for curiosities that might appeal to you...

[sirsolace]

Theology is my specialty. Few retain a great deal of interest in the field.

[thesleeper]

Ah, well sir, I just happen to be a student of religion myself.

There was a time I was being prepared to be a priest, myself, before I began practicing... magic.

[sirsolace]

Is that so? [ he actually looks interested now, looking phineas over carefully ] A priest of whom?

[thesleeper]

My father was a crusader of Tyr, and a high-ranked member of the Seropaen order.
[He swirls his drink, and takes a sip]
He would have had me follow in his footsteps... But it wasn't for me.