after-party ♔ june

[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 || June 1st, 2014, 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

[bowtimeandspace]

The Doctor isn't really paying full attention either. He's somewhere in his own thoughts, replaying the evening over in his mind. It's why he doesn't see her as she steps against him, and why for a moment he doesn't know if it's him or her that knocked into who.

"No no that's--" he starts, but stops, concern finding its way into his eyes. She looks uneasy, he thinks, and so his question comes naturally. "Are you alright?"

[witchwoman]

"I'm fine." The answer comes automatic. She's answered it a thousand times. She's fine. She doesn't need anything. Yes, she's resting. Myri loves her friends for their concern but she's conditioned herself to try to ease their worries. It's only been a few days. And perhaps the Doctor has heard a bit about two Knights coming back from a dreaded island, perhaps he's seen the somber faces in the ballroom that are too deep in thought for circumstances surrounding those events.

"Are you one of the new squires? There were so many, I think I lost track." This time her smile is a touch more genuine.

[bowtimeandspace]

He doesn't really think she's fine; people always say they are when they're not, it's the way they try and make themselves believe it, as much as anyone else. He knows that more than most. So he won't press, not now, at least.

"I am," he agrees with a nod and a small smile. "I'm John."

[witchwoman]

"Nice to meet you, John." She says, not batting an eye at the name. It suits him, she thinks. "I'm Myrilandel, but you can all me Myri. Most do." Her timid behavior doesn't detract from her natural friendliness. She's not the most enthusiastic welcome wagon, but she's going to do her part.

[bowtimeandspace]

"Well hello, Myri," he says with his smile widening just a little. There's something he finds instantly interesting about her, but then he can't quite put his finger on exactly what that might be.

So he settles for something decisive.

"Cool hair, Myri."

[witchwoman]

Instinctively, she reaches up and combs her fingers idly through the strands. It's funny that he should focus on that, seeing as she had gone brunette for so long, only to reclaim her natural white blonde hair.

"Thank you." She realizes that she should probably compliment him as well, shouldn't she? "I like your hat."

[bowtimeandspace]

The grin on the Doctor's face is in truth far too wide than her compliment warrants. Not that that fact makes much of a difference, it's there all the same. His hand lifts and touches the edge of the hat, pushing up the brim a little.

"It's cool, isn't it? It's it cool?!"

[witchwoman]

"It suits you." She says politely, his enthusiasm a little catching. She's only been back a few days, so it's hard for her to jump in fully in the welcome wagon. All throughout their conversation, Myri finds herself glancing over her shoulder, checking for something or someone. Each time she looks, there's a little shift in her expression, part relief and part frustration with herself.

"What made you want to be a knight, John?" She has to keep herself distracted. She has to focus on him or she won't be able to stand being in this room much longer.

[bowtimeandspace]

"I didn't," he tells her simply. It isn't entirely accurate, but then he's not really lying either. He lifts his hat from his head then and shoves it squarely atop of Myri's head, grinning to her in the process.

For all his whimsy, he's watching her, and watches how she looks about her, as though maybe she's worried or looking for someone. He doesn't know her well enough to comment on it just yet though.

Give it five minutes.

"You know I think that suits you more than it does me."

[witchwoman]

She flinches a little when he sets the hat on her head. It's just a little big, but not so much that it falls in her eyes or anything. It's just a touch comical the way it doesn't quite fit. Myri smiles, though- really smiles. And as she looks up at him, some of that haunted shadow in her eyes seems to vanish.

"You're very kind, John. But I don't think it quite goes with my dress."

[bowtimeandspace]

"Well that's the beauty of it!" he tells her. "People aren't supposed to match, you know. Nothing else does."

Lives are mixed and complicated. Why shouldn't the things people wear be too?

His own smile beams wider as he sees hers do the same, and it warms his hearts just a little. That's what he misses, that look in peoples eyes.

[witchwoman]

She keeps smiling but there is a touch of confusion in her expression. She's never met a man like him before. He's certainly different than most of the knights she knows. She'll leave the hat on for now, if only to be polite. Also, because it makes her feel silly and she could stand to be a little silly.

"You're odd." She says, then blushes and ducks her head a bit, nearly losing the hat in the process. "I mean that in the best way, though."

[bowtimeandspace]

"I know," he beams, he should probably not seem so pleased by such a statement, but then he is odd, isn't he?

But it's a curious thought, and he frowns slightly as he thinks on it, tilting his head a little.

"Is there any bad way to be odd?"

[witchwoman]

"Oh, I'm sure there is. There are men who are cruel in the oddest ways, people that I would never call ordinary that you would not wish to meet in a dark alley. Odd can be very bad, John." She doesn't mean to lose her lighter expression, but it all starts to darken as she speaks.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't- I should go."

[bowtimeandspace]

He isn't sure exactly what he's said that might have upset her, but he knows for certain something has. Her reaction tells him a lot about her, but he simply files all that aside for now because none of it is what matters.

Instead, his hand reaches out and touches gently to her arm, frowning a little as he stalls her.

"Hey, no, hey. You don't have to go."

[witchwoman]

For as traumatized as the poor dear is, she's got a firm grip on her emotions (will 25). She glances down at his arm, uncertain, but it does stop her.

"I don't mean to ruin your party. I'm not in much of a celebratory mood." And she feels terrible for bringing a little storm cloud with her.

[bowtimeandspace]

He doesn't grip her arm too tightly, or hold her for too long, he can tell there's a reason not to do that, if not what the reason is (wis 19).

"Ruin it?!" he scoffs. "As if." It's dismissive, as if such an idea would be anything but possible.

"Do you dance?" he asks her then, the question from nowhere.

[witchwoman]

She's surprised by the question and it shows quite plainly on her face. Looking down at her hands, as if they might have the answers, she comes up short.

"I... Well, yes- from time to time."

[bowtimeandspace]

"Right then," his hat is taken back and placed back atop his head, and his bowtie is straightened before his hand is offered out towards her.

"Let's see your moves."

[witchwoman]

Taking his hand, she lets him lead her out onto the dance floor. Her moves are lacking, but she's been tortured for the last two months so give her a freaking break (perform dance 9).

"I'm afraid I'm not much of a partner tonight."

[bowtimeandspace]

It's alright, Myri, you've really not seen his moves yet. Though it's quite possible that's for the best.

"Hey you look pretty good to me. A bit of this, bit of that, eh?"

And yes, that might be the night fever dance he's attempting right now.

[witchwoman]

"What are you..?" She's never seen dancing like that. "Are you alright?" She's starting to wonder if he's having some sort of seizure.

[bowtimeandspace]

"Me? Never been better!" (And as that's actually a big old lie - bluff 23). He pulls another move, something that looks like his hips are being displaced.

[witchwoman]

That one actually pulls a confused laugh from Myri. She's not at all sure what he's doing, but it's very amusing.

"Here. Why don't we just..." She reaches out and takes his hands in hers, dancing with him a little more to at least get him back on track... sort of.

This is a train wreck.

[bowtimeandspace]

What, no, Myri dear no, he really can't be tamed. He looks at her, screwing his face up a little.

"What, not a fan of my moves?"