Masquerade Around the World
| Masquerade Around the World | |
|---|---|
| Players
Faith, Arnaud, Joshua, Khali, Heloise, Haliburton, Javi, Darwin, Five, Nisha, Spider, Seth, Tilly, Skein, Vance, Cellandine |
Forest Glen Faith throws a Masquerade ball successfully. |
+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ In the far north of Chicago, in Forest Glen, is the sprawling estate that is home to this evening's festivities. The night is chill, and crescent moon provides a thin sliver of light upon the clouds overhead. The mansion is brightly lit and warm, a comfort from the cold of the evening. The smell of freshly cut flowers lingers upon the air. Upon entering, party goers are escorted by staff dressed in formal wear and simple domino masques, up the open staircase and into the ballroom. The room is draped in fine silks of red and gold and black for the evening. The large dining table is now home to a large foral arrangement, vases of colorful flowers in in a variety of purples and pinks and reds and whites, lilys and hydrangea and bi-color burgandy carnations, with small masquerade masks placed for decoration. In the center of it all is a sculpture of ice, a pegasus posed about to take flight, clear wings gleaming in the light. Curiously, it does not seem to melt at all. Other smaller tables dot one side of the room for people to rest and relax at, black table cloths sprinkled with sequence, with vases filled with beads and feathers for more color. Standing right near the entrance and ready to receive guests is presumably the hostess of the party herself. Dressed in her violet lacey gown with a black cloak with the hood up to cover her head, she's wearing a floral golden mask upon her face that obscures the eyes, ready to receive and greet each of her guests for the evening. +----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Here comes the Sun! A tall and lean man wearing a Victorian-steampunk styled outfit consisting of frock coat, vest, black shirt, black pants, a belt with a golden buckle shaped as a stylised dragon, black and sturdy low shoes polished to a shine, and a large and ostentatious mask in a gold color that looks like the sun incarnate. For those that know him, this is clearly Arnaud Lyon - he makes no attempts at hiding his lackadaisical stalking style as he enters, hands in pockets of his pants so his coat is pushed back. +----+ Joshua +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Joshua arrives in a finely tailored suit in a deep oil-slick iridescent blue/black over a black silk shirt with a tie that matches the masquerade half mask of two iridescent blue fish that encircle his eyes and shroud the upper half of his face. The fabric of the jacket has a bit of a shimmer to it that mimics the shine of the fish. The trousers are cut slim. His shoes are polished black boots. Even his hair, the dark blonde styled back and given a bit of a blue and green tint to provide a backdrop for the mask and continue the theme. He approaches the party and displays his coin for entry before slipping it away again. +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Maybe it could be said that after many, many years of practice...Khali might know how to do a masquerade party. When she arrives she's dressed head to toe in red and gold. Her entire face is covered with a gold cage mask. The only way she might be recognized is by those that are familiar with the creeping dread her particular bloodline tend to be capable of dragging around with them...endlessly. With a turn of her head, that faceless mask looks around until she spots a likely corner to loiter in and watch the rest of the room. +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Next to the violet-and-gold hostess is a taller woman all in gold, like a daughter of the fabled Midas. She is draped slightly over the vampire with a casual sort of intimacy, a glass of champagne in her free hand, sparkling bubbles matching the color of her lips and the shimmer over her exposed skin. To the eyes of the Lost, Heloise's mortal Mask has been strengthened so that her Mien is hidden beneath. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ Haliburton, because at least a few that know him will recognize him by gait and posture if not other cues, stands dressed in a sparkling bejeweled blue coat, open breasted with wide wing lapels covered in some kind of sparkling blue and white gems. The entire look of the thing is metallic, with white ruffles coming out of the chest and fine metallic blue trousers that terminate in black boots in pointed toes. A mask over his face features spiral horns that come away from the face in sharp angles, dark lenses over the eyes helping the mask double as a set of shades to protect against light. He seems to enjoy standing next to the hostess of the party, hands clasped behind the small of his back in a posture he commonly adopts. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi may not have a //lot// of formalwear, but he does at least have one suit. You have to have at least one, right? And if you're only going to //have// one, it better be a good one -- and so it is. Deep charcoal, and perfectly fitted, with an emerald green shirt and a gold tie with a subtle shimmer. His mask is a sort of dragon-bird hybrid, green at the beak and bursting into a riot of colored feathers, red and gold and purple placed somewhat haphazardly, yet pleasing to the eye when taken altogether. He's making his way in with Darwin, and one of the costumes has him nudging his companion and saying, sort of under his breath but probably audible to at least some, "Yo, //look//!" And then a few moments later, a little more audibly when they reach their hostess and host, "Damn, you guys look great." +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin flashes an Accord coin to Faith but hurried pockets it because damned if another misunderstanding is going to rob him of his spooky person money, damnit. When Javi nudges, he looks, and looks, because there's a lot of wild costumes to gawk at. "/Wild/," he murmurs. Darwin himself sports a dark, /dark/ forest green suit, with diamond-shaped cufflinks and silver (in luster) buttons. Beneath his suit jacket is a damask vest, somewhere between seafoam and mint, swirled with embroidery, but most notable is the half-length cape about his shoulders, depicting the stylized drape of sea green luna moth wings. The domino mask on his face sports the same sea green motif of moth wings, made with painted feathers. "Professor Plum in the billiard room with the lead pipe," he teases Javi. +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ There's an air of nervous excitement as Five wanders onto the scene. Those that weren't there when she picked out her dress might not immediately recognize her without her torn, smelly rags that she calls clothing. This evening, she's all cleaned up, even her long, dark hair looks groomed and probably most of the tangles brushed out. The mortal is wearing a gown of emerald silk that shimmers with tones of blue and gold as the light moves over it. The bodice is intricately wrapped, leaving the tops of the shoulders bare, and the full, layered skirts rustle softly with movement. There are white sandals made from some buttery soft leather, designed in the greco-roman style going up to the knees, the thin straps edged with fine golden piping, and the set is made complete by a hooded cloak of fine silk lace, snowy white with metallic embroidery in gold, sapphire and emerald of stylized peacocks and peahens. Covering her face is a grand peacock feather masterpiece, gleaming metals and metallic lace in jewel colors. But, any air of mystery is completely ruined as she approaches the trio near the entrance, grinning widely. The mortal pretty much immediately lifts her mask enough to peer better at them and their chosen attires. "Everyone looks so amazing!" she compliments warmly and genuinely before putting her mask back down. Then she's glancing around, easily spotting Arnaud and waving at him! +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha wasn't smart enough to hide her bright blue hair, so it's pretty easy to tell who she is! If not for that, though.. Nisha's wrapped in what looks to be a multitude of monarch butterfly wings, in a dress that is far more graceful and stylish than any of her usual thrift-store chic outfits. The mask matches, all of it being gold, orange and black silks, with smatterings of white where appropriate. She's alone, making her way towards the pair at the door. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Everyone gets a nice word of greeting from Faith standing there was they enter, a polite nod, an expression of thanks for their attendence. Arnaud sun-theme is noted curiously, the unfamiliar Beast of Joshua considered carefully and even Khali's creeping dread is noted with the same calm. People arrive and Faith seems to be ensuring she has a moment for everyone, waiting for the festivies to start proper. Her polite smile becomes something greater at Javi's enthusiasm. "Thank you!" She says, looking over Darwin as well. The smile turns amused as Five reveals herself. She has a glass of her own, something dark and red within it that lingers in her hand. Food and drink are plentiful for the evening, and any dietry requirements can be catered for with ease. Servers regularly make the rounds with finger foods of all sorts, carefully picked for ease of eating while wearing a mask. As people arrive and begin to mingle, Faith's voice rises to address the room. "Thank you all for coming tonight, and please be welcome and make yourself comfortable. Enjoy all that I have to offer. Tonight, we will be going to many places. I ask that those of you who do have the ability to see through and destroy my illusions please refrain from doing so this evening. Let us all enjoy ourselves!" With an effort of will from the hostess, the room begins to change. The mansion dining room fades away, and over the course of a few seconds changes dramatically. It becomes a grand, baroque style gallery with a high vaulted ceiling, classical paintings done upon it. Several chandeliers are suspended from above, each supporting a great many candles that shed their flickering briliance onto the polished charcoal floor below. The window that dominated one wall becomes a series of large archyway windows, and marble pilasters decorated with the fluer-de-lis support the ceiling. It's almost like suddenly stepping back in time. "For our first stop, welcome to Versailles!" Faith announces with a grin, and it seems that singles the party to be well and truly begun. +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ The nearest person to Khali gets a comment, "I've been there before." In regards to Versailles. Which just means that the change is one that is appreciated, as someone who has been there before. She lifts her hands, applauding quietly. The sound just slightly off with the skin of her hands covered with the fabric of her gloves, but it is done loudly enough to be heard. Even if she might be the only one that feels applause is fitting for the moment. +----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Arnaud isn't commenting on anyone's outfits or talking to anyone; he nods to the greeting trio, that's all. However, when Five arrives he freezes and stands still staring at her, before he snaps out of it and lifts his arm in a return wave. Grabbing a plate somewhere, he then slides around the room to gather food; grabbing some from every passing tray, and finding a glass of champagne or similar before he finds a place to eat and observe. The change of the scenery has him looking up and around, amazed. "It DOES look like Versailles," he breathes, his French accent unmistaken. Perhaps he's seen the real place before. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ Hal remains mostly silent except when addressed. He's taking pains to remain less front and center so that Faith can really show off, smiling brightly to the familiar faces (or at least masks) he sees. Darwin and Javi get his attention in particular as he tells Javi, "Thank you, Javi. You know I'm dressed special when I eschew black..." He might have winked but it's difficult to tell beneath that mask of his with its dark lenses. He lets himself be fooled by the illusion of the change that washes over the room, leaning close to Faith to murmur in a warmly approving voice audible only to those who really try to listen for it, "This was an amazing idea." Then the Mekhet takes it upon himself to approach Khali in her red and gold gown and mask. "Mihna. I don't know where you found that but it might be the most intimidating dress I've seen in years." +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "Oh, marvellous," breathes Heloise, richly painted lips curving up in a smile that even touches her blank golden eyes behind the mask. "You had mentioned it, but I do not believe I have seen you show this ability before." She turns fully back to Faith again, shaking her masked head in obvious wonder. "Simply delightful." She joins Khali in applauding, and slowly the movement is spreading through the room as the rest of the crowd joins them in praising the vampire's magic. +----+ Joshua +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Joshua acquires a glass of some sort, but it seems more of a prop than anything else, carried about in hand and gestured with, sipped from only very occasionally. He does seem to be enjoying taking in the decor, however, particularly when the change brings a shift to Versailles. He's never seen Versailles, himself, but that makes the illusion no less impressive. And so it is that he drifts around the room, just taking in the space with a quiet sort of appreciation, his attention drifting to those gathered around whenever he comes to a stop. There's no one he recognizes present, but that doesn't seem to affect him either way. He's enjoying the atmosphere. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi snorts at Darwin's returned nudge and remark, replying, "Right?" But it's Clue vibes in the best way, if his expression is anything to go by. He's grinning widely, the sort of bright smile that lights him all the way up beyond just his face, and it turns into a more delighted laugh at Hal's reply. "I'mma get a selfie with you later," he tells him before he continues to look around, his hand on Darwin's elbow as Faith starts to greet everyone and announce the evening. Those illusions are not wasted on him -- the grin shifts into wide eyes and an open-mouthed stare. "Holy //shit//." Okay, maybe not the most polite, but hopefully gratifying. "//Look//," he murmurs as he nudges Darwin again, like the man isn't looking. Surely he is. +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ The applause continues until everyone else seems to catch on, then Khali lowers her hands, "Masaa al khair, akhi." She greets Hal in return, inclining her head to him very slightly, the movement done in such a way that she doesn't lose the mask and headdress. "This? I have had this for years." She spreads her hands out a moment, "I believe this once belonged to a Pope, but...he was not a good man." She once more lets her attention spread across the room, watching everyone else before she quietly observes, "It seems like there has been quite the turn out...that is pleasing. No?" +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ It must be a mortal thing because Five's own reaction is pretty similar. One moment she's about to practically pounce one of the servers for the free food (why are the offerings so tiny?!), the next... wow! Blinking a few times in disbelief, her jaw dropping momentarily. "Whoa..." she comments to no one in particular. Glancing over toward Khali, she kind of hesitantly asks with a quiet whisper, "Where is that supposed to be?" +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "..Holy fuck," is breathed out as the magic takes hold, and even behind her beautiful mask, Nisha's eyes are wide. She's really just trying to take it all in, drifting closer towards Faith, Haliburton and Heloise. She seems to be gravitating unconsciously, taking a glass of champagne from a waiter as they wander by. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin is no match for any illusion tonight. He remains wide-eyed at everything and anything, because oh my god, SHINY. Shiny embroidery, shiny fabric, peacocks, fish, butterflies, ahhh. "Mind you don't jab out any eyes with those horns," he tells Haliburton, just before he's nudged. He nudges Javi right back, fondly. "I'm lookin'! I see it!" he assures, marveling up at the chandeliers. "Those are some serious parlor tricks. Come on, let's get snacks before all the good stuff's taken." He tries to flag down a server. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "I chose Versailles in honor of an old friend who will not be able to be here tonight. I am glad you like it," Faith says a bit more quietly as an aside to Heloise, stepping away from the door to watch the people gathered and react to her little display. She does indeed grin at Javi's reaction, gives Hal a smile, and seems content to watch everyone for a moment. Light music plays from /somewhere/, and no doubt soon there'll be dancing, but for now, Faith claims a glass of something from one of the servers, dark and red which she sips at pleasantly, her gaze following Joshua along for a few moments before glancing at Nisha's approach. "Good evening!" The masked Nosferatu seems to be in a fine mood. +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "Butterfly," breathes the golden woman next to Faith and Haliburton, lips curving in a smile as she bows her head to Nisha. Heloise has her supernatural Mask firmly in place, the usual telltale glow of eyes and perfume nowhere to be found, but her voice is still the same without the echo, and of course her physical form is fairly unusual. She lifts her glass of champagne in a toast to the hostess and her other friends, clinking crystal to crystal if she can. "How can one not love this, my dears?" +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ "Okay 'cause like, //damn//. This is cool as hell." Javi's grinning again, and he turns to flash two thumbs up at Faith before pointing to those fleurs-de-lis pillars as the gesture turns into a mimed chef's kiss. However, there's food to be had, and he nods enthusiastically to Darwin as he turns to do the same. He //also// snags them both a glass, taking a moment to study them both before he passes one to Darwin. "Here," he says, lifting his once they've both got one, "salud." +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ The mask turns in Five's direction, "Versailles?" Khali offers, "It is the palace, in France. Quite the sight...I believe that it is a museum now. But once, it was full of politics and intrigue." By her tone, she's in favor of such behaviors. +----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Arnaud's food is eaten with focus but not messily, and he finishes a few glasses of wine and champagne in short order as someone who wants to eat and drink fast, just in case. Besides, it's GOOD food. He throws a thumbs-up over at Faith, then slides by Five on his way out of the place and murmurs something to her in passing. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ "...my sister in Longinus...did you kill a pope to steal his dress?" asks Hal to Khali, grinning because that is only somewhat a joke. He would not put it past Khali for that story to somehow be true. Without looking he reaches for Five to touch her shoulder briefly and says, "Five, Khali, meet each other." Probably the lamest introduction he's ever done, but it's not like the company is likely to care in this case. "I need to poke someone's eyes out with my horns." That gets said along with a grin to Darwin. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ "Ah, sweet. Salud!" Darwin clinks glasses with Javi, takes a drink, and takes a bite of whatever he'd nabbed that's skewered with a toothpick. Armed with a Waldorf to his Statler, he tucks an arm under his elbow and surveys the gathering a sharper eye. "So, we've got... a sun-- who has had enough excitement it looks like. Then, pisces? I'm not entirely sure of the concept there, but it looks deep and abstract," he says, presumably of Khali. "A metallic... ram or devil? A peacock princess, golden goddess, and a flock of butterflies." +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha twirls for Heloise with surprising grace. She's pretty agile, even if she mostly slumps around and doesn't show it off! She's looking curiously to Haliburton and the red-and-gold-pope-dress, interested in the conversation. "I've never been to Versailles yet, but this looks.. It makes me want to go." +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ As if on cue, as Khali gives her answer the French person wanders up. Five can't help but smile widely in the Summer's presence. She leans close to listen to him, nodding a few times. Something is whispered back (nothing scandalous for those able to pick up on things). Then Arnaud is off and Five is turning her attention back to those currently around her! "Nice to meet you, Khali!" the mortal grins. Why does this new person feel kind of off... probably just some stranger danger nonsense, right? Doing her best to push that to the back of her head, she offers a hand out to the unfamiliar haunt. "Are you friends with Hal?" she wonders curiously. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "Well apparently someone can not love it," comes Faith's quiet voice as she watches the departing sun that is Arnaud. The place is filling up, members of the Accords from all across Chicago coming to spend a night socializing and dining and dancing, and Faith watches it all with a pleased air about her, sipping at her little glass of blood. "But I am glad you are enjoying, dear." She watches the discussion between Five and Khali and Haliburton, before glancing aside at the Butterfly and her twirling. "I am pleased, I feared my paltry imitation would hardly do it justice." +----+ Joshua +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Joshua can't help but overhear Darwin's comments on the various costumes, his attention drifting from one to another as the descriptions are given. When Darwin gets to his, he laughs just a little bit and lifts his glass in Javi and Darwin's direction. That summary seems to suit him well enough, apparently. "Thank you," he murmurs as he passes by. "I think I'll go wit that.. something deep and abstract. Or perhaps fishy and abstract. Or abstractly from the depths. Take your pick." Another small sip is taken from his glass. "I don't think paltry is the right word for either how detailed or convincing your work is," he says to Faith. +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "Five?" Khali wonders curiously, rolling the name around with a hint of amusement in her tone. It's hard to tell if she's smiling or not beneath that mask, but the tone in her voice sounds like a smile, "A pleasure." There is not response on if she did or did not actually kill a Pope. That is a conversation for another day. "Am I friends with Hal? I do not know if I can count us as friends just yet, Five. But we have shared interests in life, and similar goals I hope. Are you friends with Hal?" +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi takes a sip, too, and then reaches out to snag a server's arm carefully to stop him. Not the arm that's carrying the tray, though. That would be a disaster. "Lemme get two," he says, and once he has whatever pretty hors d'oeuvres were on it he takes a bite of one, returning to his scan of the room as Darwin names each of the costumes. "I love seeing people all dressed up," he admits cheerfully, raising his glass in return to Joshua. "Don't really get to do it that much. Where you think we're going next?" Since Faith did say this was the //first// stop for the evening. +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "O, I do not believe that was why," Heloise responds in a low, sweet voice to Faith, a shake of her head sending the tiny chains bedecking her hair a-jingling. The tiny moths and bees that adorn them are perfect little miniature wonders, crystal wings gleaming in golden filigree, they even have tiny pearl eyes. "He is one who gets overwhelmed a lot when there are many people like this. I would not be surprised to find out that was why he had to leave so early." She sips her champagne, and waves down a passing waiter to free him of some of his amuse-bouche burden. She shares these with butterfly-Nisha and peacock-Five, placing the little plates on a nearby table for them to enjoy: smoked salmon canapes, savory creamy cheese tarts, palm-sized scallop gratins, miniscule croque monsieurs, tiny duck pâté en croûte, raspberry chocolate pate. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ Hal asides to Five quietly, "We're friends." He leaves that said and feels a tickle of being looked at, then eyes Nisha with a grin. Well there's no mistaking whose hair that is! "Nisha, I love that dress." Truthfully no one showed up looking BAD, but compliments are deserved nonetheless. He drifts toward Heloise then, admiring the golden lady that has ended up here tonight. "You look ready to dance." he remarks to her. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "You are very kind," Faith replies politely to Joshua, her head nodding respectfully as she accepts the compliment. For Javi, there is just a smile. "Now that would be telling. We still have so much to do here." As if on cue with Hal's comment to the golden lady at her side, the music changes. "Indeed, everyone looks so wonderful. And I think it is time to dance." The crowd begins to move as people take to the dance floor where it seems the first dance of the evening is going to be a classic waltz. +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ When Hal claims her as a friend, Five's eyes go almost as wide as when the whole scenery changed earlier. "Yes!" she agrees all too happily. Then her smile widens even more as another friend of hers shares some food with her. Immediately she takes a bite of everything, but she doesn't waste time to continue tasting the delicious food. However, she does retain /some/ manners before speaking again with Khali. "Red is my favorite color," she says, complimenting of her dress. "Have you been to a lot of events like this?" +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin likewise lifts his glass to Joshua. "Yeah, same," he says to Javi. "I gotta' take you to some proper shows some time. Like, the big budget plays. The craft behind theater costumes has gotten /advanced/." He takes another sip and ponders Javi's musing, but Faith answers before he can comment. "Know how to waltz?" he asks, in a voice that indicates that he absolutely doesn't. "Serious vamp vibes." +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Faith's reply draws a little laugh from Javi, and he doesn't try to guess further, just nods, turning back to Darwin as the music changes. "Right? But actually, yeah," he confirms, "I do. I mean," he amends, "I'm not, like, going on Dancing with the Stars or whatever. But I know how. You gonna dance with me?" He grins, popping the second portion of whatever delicious thing he's got into his mouth and chewing appreciatively. +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "I did dress for the occasion," Heloise's voice warms with the smile she offers Haliburton, and she raises her arms up, displaying the dramatic fluttering veil-like effect of the extravagant sleeves. Twirling slowly, showing off the way the whole of the dress moves like golden fog around her. Languidly getting close enough to the vampire to touch, she leans up against him, careful of those horns. "Or was that an offer rather than a statement?" Sweetly teasing as she drapes her gilded shape over his bejeweled blues and whites. But she's reaching over for Faith, "That said, I think the two of you should have the first dance, unless you do not wish to, of course." +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "Have you ever read The Masque of the Red Death?" Khali wonders, ignoring Hal and his 'we're friends' comments. Instead she seems to be quite focused on Five and her admission that red is her favorite color. "If you have not, I might recommend that you do. If red is your favorite color, then you might well enjoy it. But yes...I have been to a few of these over the years. All too many are boring affairs...everyone playing the part of the good guest. The very //best// of them, though, are when people allow themselves to fully enjoy themselves." +----+ Joshua +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Joshua dips his head to Faith and then offers a smile to Javi and Darwin before he continues his meanderings. Something about one of Khali's comments makes his lips twitch up in amusement. Likely the bit about those who allow themselves to fully enjoy themselves. There's a glance back toward the door at that, as though the words triggered some thought or memory, but there's no one in the doorway, and so he takes another long sip from his glass, draining it and setting the empty on a passing tray. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin was thoroughly prepared to wallflower for this one, so when Javi indicates he /does/ know how to waltz... "I would--! I can't. But if you wanna' walk me through the steps... maybe off in the corner so no one can witness my thorough lack of class. Unless you want a proper dance partner!" he says, like he is one hundred percent ready to advertise how great Javi is to the rest of the party. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ Hal and his horned mask approach Heloise together, both of them reaching out to lightly touch her golden dress since she's within range. Then he leans just a little closer to her to allow, "That's a wonderful suggestion, but I'm reserving one with you at some point." He steps past her then to approach Faith then, smiling to her to hold out a hand in invitation. "Do we dance in Versailles?" She is driving this ballroom, after all. [OOC] Nisha says, "oh, I was also definitely going for 3pr but also like, brain" +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Five jots the name of the book in her mind, knowing JUST THE PLACE to get it. Almost instinctively, she casts a look in Heloise's direction. Easily returning her gaze to Khali, she smiles curiously. "What's that about? Wait. Probably one of those things that knowing less is better, right?" Amusement flickers briefly in her bright green eyes. "Those parties sound like fun. If you come across one of those, let me know! This is my first thing like this ever." There's a pause like she might say something else but decides against it. Nothing important, probably. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Faith is easily drawn over by the tall golden lady, smiling lightly at her display. She sets her glass down, mostly emptied to accept Hal's hand. "Me too," she says of reserving a dance with the Fairest, but sets her attention proper upon Hal. "Oh we absolutely do dance in Versailles. How could we not?" She grins, moving to the dance floor with Hal and his horned mask, leading the way. The music rises and the dancing begins. For the new arrivals, they'll quickly be shown into the ballroom upon entry where it is almost like stepping back in time, the room seeming somewhat out of place with the rest of the mansion here. It's a grand baroque gallery reminiscent of 18th century France where the party is well under way, and the first dance of the evening is beginning. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ "We got plenty of time to catch everyone," Javi replies with a shrug that turns into a broad wave to encompass the room. "Here, let me give you the basics and then you can go ask people after, too." He sets his glass down on some convenient surface or other and reaches for Darwin's elbow, shifting them somewhere semi-out of the way (but not //exactly// in a corner) so that they have some space. On the way there, he seems to finally recognize Five -- well, to be fair he's only met her a few times and she looks quite different -- and his eyebrows raise. "Oh, hey!" He lifts a hand to wave, but doesn't interrupt further than that, turning back to Darwin to show him the basic steps of the waltz. Which he can, apparently, do. "Used to make a little money being a partner for some classes in Lincoln Park," he says, "so I know a bunch of 'em." dances, presumably. +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "It is far better to not know, and to instead experience it the first time when you read." Khali agrees with a nod, reaching out a hand to pat lightly at Five's shoulder, "If I ever do hear of a party like that, I will be sure to let you know. But how? Do you have a number? Would I be best sending a pigeon? Leaving a note at a pre-agreed drop location?" +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "Ms. Papillon, Ms. Paonne," Heloise addresses both Nisha and Five, reaching out to each to gently nudge their attention, smiling. She is keeping her tone of voice quiet, only speaking after Khali's inquiery so as to not interrupt that conversation. "Would you both care to dance with me? It is not a proper waltz form to go in three, perhaps," she looks around the room, "but I do not think we will stand out all too much." Then it's thunder without lightning, and the Halloween mask'd crew catches her attention. +----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein arrives with Spider, Tilly and Seth. She has on her cheap plastic Michael Myers mask on like the rest of her group. She ohhs softly as Heloise speaks of dancing. She then looks up to Spider. "Ooooos...dancing maybe yo will dancew ith me?" She asks of hm. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ Here's something about Haliburton: He knows how to dance a waltz. He takes Faith by the hand, slips his other hand easily to her waist, and steps onto the rhythm of the music in an easy 1-2-3 that has him turning and turning the hostess of the party in such a way that her dress and cloak flare out behind her. His horned mask and metallic blue suit form a wickedly colorful contrast against Faith's relative dark look. They could be devils together, dancing in old France! +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ "You can send pigeons with messages?" That seems to spur some sort of ideas in the mortal's mind momentarily. Before she can fully answer, a familiar face is waving at her. "Hey!" she replies to her fellow mortal in a room full of supernaturals. Sure, they're probably not the only mortals, but he's certainly the only one she recognizes. "It's really cool seeing you here!" Five doesn't have any pockets so she simply just grabs a pen and a couple of napkins from a server passing by. Writing her number down on each of them, one is handed to Khali and the other to Javi for future mortal adventures. Eyes are wide with warmth when Heloise offers a dance, Five all too excitedly nodding. "Of course! I've never danced before but it seems like fun!" +----+ Tilly +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Joshua +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Joshua has no partner for the waltz but seems to need no partner, either. He simply makes his way onto the dance floor and falls into step with the others as though perhaps dancing with some invisible partner made of sea foam and memory. Or perhaps a ghost that only he can see. Either way, he seems determined to thoroughly enjoy himself -- accompanied or otherwise. Perhaps he took a bit of inspiration from Khali's words. +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha beams to Heloise, nodding to her! "I would love to dance! I.. know the theory of a waltz. One-two-three, right? I've not had much occasion to dance formally, but if you don't mind leading?" Nisha's movements are a little quicker than normal, perhaps. A little more fluttery. For those that can see her mein, the wolfish ears have melted away, replaced by a pair of almost fuzzy antennae. Sharp claws still exist, scales up her wrists and arms, disappearing under the gown. The raccoon tail is there as well, probably sticking through a little slit in the back of her dress. Her mein isn't shifting fast, but there might be just the faintest glimmer of insect wings near her shoulders. +----+ Khali +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "They are called carrier pigeons." Khali points out gently, maybe she, personally, can't send pigeons with messages. But they do exist. She takes the number, tucking it into a hidden pocket in her dress before she inclines her head to those who are about to go dancing. She makes zero moves to budge from the spot that she is in, and has been in, since the beginning. +----+ Seth +------------------------------------------------------------------+
Faith isn't going to be winning any dancing competitions any time soon, but she can dance for fun and she knows how to dance, moving along with Hal with her hand at his shoulder, turning together with the line of the dancefloor. Hostess duties are on pause for the moment as she moves with Haliburton, focused on the moment as the music swells. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
Darwin sets his drink down on a passing server's tray, and follows Javi's directions as best he can, attentive and watchful. He's a decent student! It's obvious he's been schooled a /few/ times by his own high school students on the various modern dance moves. "I had no idea. If I ever do a musical and need a back-up dancer I'm going to... politely ask you." He smiles. When Five greets Javi, he pauses for the quick exchange, and does a little bow in a greeting of his own before she's swept off by Heloise. "Is... that Austin Powers," he whispers to Javi, smothering laughter. +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "Then, allow me," the tall golden woman that is Heloise offers one hand to the butterfly-themed Nisha, and one to the peacock-adorned Five. Her hands are warm and the shimmering gold dust that coats her every inch clings jealously to her, not a single gilded mote moving over to the other two women. Keeping in mind their lesser (or completely lacking) experience in dancing, she is moving very slowly, making sure they can easily keep up. One. Two. Three. Swirl. One, two, three. Swirl. Their colors mingle very prettily out on the floor. +----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein nods along with Spider's words. "Well...not exactly..." She says towrad him, but she gives his hands a gentle squeeze and seems well about to try and waltz. She does okay, but doesn't seem to trained at dance or anything like that. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi grins as he snags the number from Five and slips it into his pocket before he refocuses on what he's doing, and he's obviously pleased at Darwin's progress. "//Maybe// I'd do that," he allows, but with plenty of amusement. "Long as there's no lines. Been studying enough for, like...years." A little shudder runs through him, only partially exaggerated. He's distracted from real or imagined horrors of schoolwork by the new arrivals, though, and when Darwin points them out he looks over that way, before his eyes widen and he lets out a laugh, too, though it's mostly just surprised. "Oh damn. Uh...yeah?" +----+ Dianna +----------------------------------------------------------------+ A woman on the shorter side wearing a rather expensive and intricate looking red dress walks in, guided by the attendants that lead everyone to the party room on their way here. She thanks them politely and then heads on in, mask already on. The mask is a blank porcelain white with holes for the eyes, and her is covered in flowers stitched in gold. She smells of a hard-to-indentify perfume, and faintly enough only the vampires can manage to notice, and only if close, of days old animal blood, despite her otherwise clean appearance. She takes a good look around, trying to see if she can already identify anyone she knows, and if anyone otherwise looks like someone interesting. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ Hal and Faith dance the floor completely, Hal sharing as he spins her, "It's been so long. Thank you for arranging this party. You are a remarkable hostess." About the fourth orbit or so he brings her close to where they began and slows, finally coming to a stop with his dance partner to allow her off the ride. +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Five is definitely not the best dancer, but her natural grace helps her from making a fool of herself. Not that she seems to care too much, she seems to just be having fun with the Changelings she's waltzing around with! Especially when it comes time to twirl, weeee! Okay, she actually probably at least once does declare, "Weee!" as the trio dance and whirl around the dance floor. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Joshua +----------------------------------------------------------------+ When the song comes to a close, Joshua slips off the dance floor and back into the crowd, a little smile pulling his lips as he seeks out his next entertainment. Disappearing into the throng, perhaps he finds it at the party, or perhaps elsewhere. Either way, he seems in good spirits as he wends his way through those gathered nearby. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin cackles. "Okay, shut up and focus, Darwin," he tells himself. He shakes his head at Javi, mid-step, "I /still/ struggle with lines." He pauses, then, slightly out of breath. "Alright. Absolutely going to forget these steps after tonight but maybe I can hobble through it. I'm trying to sus out people I know but the masks kinda'... make that hard. I guess that's the point." He glances towards the golden woman that is Heloise. "She seems familiar. Think she might've witnessed me absolutely lose my shit after Jessup's fae mind fuckery," he sighs. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Moving around the floor with grace and maybe even a little bit of style, the Nosferatu gives a quiet note to Hal, "You know, several months ago I would never have imagined doing something like this," she says, dancing along with him until it comes to an end and she gives a little flourish with a hand, and a polite, "Thank you." From behind her golden mask her gaze casts around the party, watching the people enjoying themselves before Spider's approach has her looking at him and his mask. "Good evening," she greets as she looks him over. Then Faith's voice carries across the room with ease, suddenly easy to hear no matter where one is. "And now, dear guests, we say farewell to France, and hello to Venice." Then, once more, the room is changing into a Venetian style palace, much more open and bright. It's whites and golds, mirrors with bronze detailing lining the walls to project that illusion of there being much more space, and the windows actually seem to look out upon the canals of the city. The floor remains it's polished charcoal tiling, and the dancing continues!
+----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi's laugh in response to Darwin's is a little louder, and //definitely// amused this time, before he manages to school his face into something a little more serious. Though not at all somber. "You'll be great," he assures him, turning to look in the direction he's pointing. "Oh, yeah," he continues, "Heloise? Maybe. She's cool. You should ask her." He starts to say something else, too, but that's when the scenery starts to change again, and he's distracted from anything else by watching it all. "Man," he murmurs, "I //wish// I could do that." +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha is clearly less a dancer, and more just.. good at moving? It's hard to explain, really, but she follows Heloise's lead, and twirls with every prompt-- and even twirls Heloise a time or two! As the song carries to a close, she's beaming at her two dance partners. "Would either of you like a drink--" But then she's cutting off with a loud gasp, her eyes so bright and big behind her mask. "Ohhhh Faith, thank you! I haven't been to Italy since-- She abruptly cuts herself off, and reaches out to a passing tray for a glass of champagne. +----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein clings onto to Spider, following his lead and seemingly to really enjoy dancing with him. She blinks as the room changes and then gasps, seemingly all well shocked. She then smiles over to Tilly and Seth. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ As the trio that was Heloise, Nisha and Five comes to a stop again near Faith and Haliburton, the tall golden woman detaches herself from her friends to also grab some champagne. She looks pleased, a bit of a pink flush showing through the gilded body shimmer, her heartbeat raised from the dancing. Perhaps drinking a little fast, but. That was thirsty work! +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ "Venice." says Hal affectionately, drawing away from Faith now that his dance with her is concluded. He bows to her upon departure and grins. "You know what you are." Sounds like a coded phrase of some kind, or a private joke perhaps. Then he watches Heloise like a hawk right up until she lands, the timing probably deliberate on someone's part. The tall golden fairest remains the focus of his attention until he can get her to look his way, and then he bows while extending a hand in invitation. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ "She's got her hands full," Darwin says, looking through the crowd. "Wish that sun hadn't left, seemed fun. Oh, maybe I can steal Faith." As Versailles turns to Venice, Darwin leaves Javi (somewhat reluctantly), and sidles over to occupy a space that isn't already occupied around Faith and Haliburton. "Faith, wanna' dance?" +----+ Seth +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Seth pulls Tilly in close and then nods, "Dance then eat, though we made a mistake with these masks, eating will be impossible!" Starting to head to the dancefloor with Spider and Skein he pauses as Spider addresses Faith. Pulling up his mask so she can see his face he motions to the group then to Faith asking, "You all haven't met? Formal introductions or do we keep things /masked/?" Pulling the mask back down he looks around to the others gathered for the event. Vance has arrived. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "Indeed, and I am very glad you could attend," Faith notes for Spider, taking credit for the whole evening's affair, inclining her head in turn. Seth and Tilly and their outfits a noted, the wave of a pale hand as they're making their way to the dance floor, inclining her head a little. "I could be anyone," she muses for Seth, spreading her hands. Apparently that answers that question for now on the topic of formal introductions. There's a grin for Nisha, and then she too is making her way towards where Darwin and Javi are lingering. She extends her hands to Darwin with a polite smile. "Why of course, I would be delighted," she says pleasantly. The music changes, a new dance ready to begin, something a little bit faster. +----+ Dianna +----------------------------------------------------------------+ The newcomer in the mask looks legitimately shocked as the world shifts around her, and that only continues into rapt curiousity as she realizes just the extent of the change. After a good moment of just observing the room, she almost immediately b-lines for the person serving alcohol, and gets herself a glass, lifting her mask for a moment upwards on her head face so she can take a sip. Then she shifts it back down again, and takes a look around the room to orient herself again. She notices that quite a few people have gathered near each other, and decides that heading over to the impromptu meeting sounds like a good idea. "Evening everyone," she says, muffled slightly by her mask. Its pretty obvious at this point that its Dianna from her voice. +----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein is still keeping close to Spider. She seems a little shy as they draw near the others, but gives him a smile that is partly concealed by the mask she wears. "Thank you for having us." She chimes into Faith. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi glances over that way again, and replies, "Oh, yeah. Well, next one. There's probably gonna be plenty." And since there's another one that's starting and Darwin and Faith are taking the floor, he makes his way over toward Five where she's stopped from the previous and extends a hand with a smile. "You wanna dance with me?" he asks. "You look great, by the way. Got a whole, like, //vibe//." +----+ Vance +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Vance makes his way into this crazy-ass mansion, following after the scents of Seth and Tilly, his packmates, presumably. Or maybe they texted him and he decided to come see what's up. Either way, he'll spend some time trying to look for them in his work business suit, which seems a little on the worn side. Once he's spotted the two werewolves, assuming they are side to side, he will wrap an arm around each of their shoulders and shake them with a grin. +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "Of course, I would be delighted," Heloise accepts Haliburton's offered hand, moving in closer so they can start dancing. She is smiling openly, dimples showing below her mask, golden eyes narrowing with it as her lashes show through as well. Her hands are hot in his even through her gloves, her body temperature up from the alcohol and movement. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ "Alright now, don't judge me too harshly, my dance teacher only had like five minutes to teach me this," Darwin warns, hand slipping around to Faith's back. "Oh god it got faster," he says with dread, presumably of the music. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Five had been munching on some food, because sure the scenery and people and everything was cool and all but... FREE FOOD! "Oh, sure!" She smiles warmly at Javi, taking the offered hand. "I like your outfit too! Everyone here looks so amazing," she replies, including the biker gang that showed up in their own brand of costumes. "Heloise helped pick this out for me," she explains. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ As Hal takes Heloise's hand, he takes her for a few patient orbits of the ballroom. Again, it's an opportunity to spin the lady around and let her dress flare out like a comet tail on the swish as they turn, keeping her from flying away through the hand at her waist and back. On one trip around the floor he guides them near to Dianna so that he can tell the young woman, "I see you, Dianna." There's a grin with that as he sort of just flies by her, asking his dance partner, "Did you help her pick that out?" +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ There's actually a laugh from Faith, a light sound that is somewhat unusual for the Nosferatu really. "Don't worry yourself, we're here for fun. That's all it needs to be." And then she once again takes to the dancefloor, her hand upon Darwin's shoulder, content to help lead him through the steps as they move around the ballroom in the trail of the golden and blue wonder that is Heloise and Haliburton. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ "Thanks. Yeah," Javi agrees as he leads Five out onto the floor again to begin. "Never really get to see people dressed up like this, you know? But it's cool. Gotta try to get myself invited to more fancy parties." He's pretty good -- certainly good enough to be enjoyable, at least, and he's confident enough doing it that he can also carry on a conversation. "How you been? You try those yet?" He nods to one of the beautifully plated hors d'oeuvres, leaning in a little bit and lowering his voice conspiratorially. "We should stock up before we go." +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin doesn't even step on Faith's toes! "Faith," he begins. "There's wolves here, and lost folk, and vamps, and mortals, and they're all getting along," he says, with no small amount of wonder in his voice. "Gotta' bring this energy to the Allthings." He basically lets Faith lead here, grinning. "Twirl me." +----+ Five +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Five makes a nod toward Khali while she dances around with her fellow mortal. "I think she knows where the fun parties might be at. Maybe." Twirltwirl spin! Again, it's clear that she doesn't really know what she's doing but it having fun with it anyways! At Javi's idea, she her grin matches his tone. "Yes! You know... while everyone is distracted dancing..." Gently grabbing Javi's hand, she drags the other mortal off for a bit so the pair can stuff their pockets and such with all the food! +----+ Tilly +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Seth +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Seth grins at Faith then nods, motioning to Spider and Skein that it's time to party on. That is until Vance comes to join them. Their packmate gets a nod and a wide smile that's hidden behind the silly mask Seth wears. "Yoooo! You made it. We were going to dance but we can hang out and watch Spider and Skein dance." +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "These Accords are bound not to last, but I will make them last for as long as I possibly can," Faith says quietly to Darwin, perhaps with a bit of idealism there in her voice. She obliges, twirling Darwin at a suitably appropriate moment as they continue to make their wounds of the dance floor, settling into a comfortable rhythm that takes them around and around, until finally coming to a pause and leading Darwin from the floor and setting him free! "Thank you, Darwin," she says politely as she turns to take view of the ball in progress. +----+ Darwin +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Darwin is an idealistic sucker, so he seems pretty pleased. Once Faith twirls him and sets him FREE... he thanks her, of course, then beelines to join Javi and Five in the hors d'oeuvre nabbing. +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha has found her way to the snacks, and.. she may be lingering there for quite a while. The food is amazing, after all, and Nisha's not one to turn down free food! She's danced, she's drank, she's one quite happy Lost. She exudes contentment, happiness, and she's watching the dancing-- probably thinking about joining in again. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ "I did!" Heloise smiles back up at Haliburton, in response to his query about Dianna's outfit. "She is most pleasant to talk with, I wanted to thank you for introducing us." She moves a little bit closer, tone of voice teasing, "All of us are enjoying the food. Have you gotten a snack yourself?" Her eastern European accent slips in there, doing something interesting to her rs. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi has collected many, many tiny little appetizers with Darwin and Five. A lot. He's eaten //most// of them, and the ones he hasn't, well...it's fine. No one needs to worry about where they are. But eventually he comes up from the //food//ing, looking around a little bit until he spots Nisha. He may not know her, but apparently that's about to change! "Hey," he says as he gets close enough for conversation, smiling and tilting his head toward the floor. "You wanna dance?" +----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein is spun around by Spider! She seems to be all happy with such. She looks over to Vance, giving him a nod when Spider does. She thn peeks ohhs softly. "They do have lots of snacks here, Spider." she murmurs softly. She ends up back near near Tilly and Seth, giving them both a smile as well. "I didn't realize that Spider can dance." She says. +----+ Haliburton +------------------------------------------------------------+ "I haven't." says Hal to Heloise in a disappointed way. He grins widely at Spider when they make eye contact, as much contact as can be made through a Michael Meyers mask and his own ghetto sunglasses mask. There's no sign at all that he minds the different theme. When they finally come to roost near where their own dance started, Hal lets go of his partner and steps back from her with a short bow of thanks and a murmur along those lines as well. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ With Darwin leaving her side and Faith claiming another glass for herself from a passing server, she's making her way proper towards the group that is the swarm, looking over Spider once more, and Seth and Tilly and Skein as well. "I am very glad you all were able to make it," she says politely. "I do hope you're all enjoying yourselves." +----+ Heloise +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Heloise smiles sweetly to the horned vampire, dipping down in an old fashioned curtsy in response to his bow, murmuring something in response. So polite. Straightening up, she looks around the place, then dips her head to her host. "I do need to step away briefly, I need to check in on my shop. I will be over in the library for just a few." And she wanders that way. +----+ Spider +----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Vance +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "I made it," Vance agrees with Seth, grinning as he watches Spider dance with Skein. "Alright, sure," he calls out over to Spider, watching him dance with Skein while straightening. He seems to be in pretty good spirits all in all, and completely not in a mask other than a surgical one that he puts on as an afterthought. Now he's got the dress code down pat, right? +----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein smiles over to Faith as she is introduced. The pat to her bum sends her of to the food tables though. She scampers there and starts to fill up a plate with varies treats, focusing on the pastries. +----+ Celandine +-------------------------------------------------------------+ A tiny five foot nothing slip of a girl enters. She's dressed in a huge hooded cloak the perfect color of arterial spray, and an oversized wolf's maw covers the lower portion of her face. It looks like a proper antique, carved out of solid wood with what sure looks like real ivory fangs lining the wet-black snarl. Above her face is revealed, blazing blue killer eyes, freckled skin, red red hair curling out from beneath the hood. Celandine the Red Riding Hood carries with her a large wicker basket, filled with bundles of herbs and small bottles tied together. She is holding a particularly large version of these, offering it to Faith. "Treats for the hostess." It looks a mixture of tree twigs and flowering herbs, the bottle full of colorful stone beads. +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha somehow manages to brighten -more- when Javi asks her to dance, and she nods eagerly. Her last bite of of canape is washed down with her last sip of champagne, and she's offering out her hand to him. "I would love to. I'm Nisha. I don't think we've met?" A little bit of small talk, a little introduction as she steps towards the dance floor. +----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ "A pleasure," Faith says, her tone slipping into something more professional and courteous. "I do not believe we've met, Mr. Spider, though I am acquainted with Seth and Tilly, yes. I am Madam Faith Wilson, Haunt of the Invictus." She grins then, spreading her pale hands, "I'm sure there'll be plenty of time for appropriate formalities in the nights to come, but for now we're here to have fun and enjoy ourselves." Her attention is distracted by Celandine and her wolf mask, the vampire's golden gaze looking the mortal witch up and down before accepting the offered gift. "How very kind." You sense Celandine's posy is of herbs bound with thin, slender tree twigs, basil, borage, celandine, rosemary, sage, thyme, verbena, coriander, horehound, mixed with some kind of miniature oak, witch hazel, blue-green pine and juniper. The herbs are all in full bloom, out of season. The attached bottle is a pretty little thing, glass ombre colored from ruby red bottom to a clear neck, filled with tiny beads of amethyst, bloodstone, chalcedony and jade. +----+ Javi +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Javi grins back when Nisha accepts, taking her hand without delay and leading them out onto the floor. "Hey, Nisha," he replies as he settles a hand on her waist to begin. "Javi. Yeah, we haven't. Killer costume, though. Looks great." He nods appreciatively to her ensemble, adding, "You ever seen when they do that thing?" A beat, like he's trying to think of the word, but he comes up with it not too long later. "Migrate. The butterflies," he clarifies. +----+ Vance +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ With a nod to Faith, since he is next to Seth and Tilly, there is a pleasant smile beneath his worn out surgical mask and then he's lifting his hand in greeting to Skein while she dances, since she sent a greeting his way. "Work went a bit overboard today," he explains to Seth and Tilly, like it's no big deal. "Made a few more contracts, might overcome my quota, so that's good." +----+ Seth +------------------------------------------------------------------+ Seth nods at Vance and clasps his shoulder, "Nice!" Nodding to Faith then to Spider and Skein he slips his arm tighter around Tilly and then adds, "I think we're gonna dance a little then grab some food." Tugging on Tilly's hand he starts to pull her aside to make room to go out to dance. +----+ Tilly +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+----+ Skein +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Skein as her plate filled wih pastries and she pads o bac over to Spider. +----+ Nisha +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ Nisha settles in to dance with Javi, light on her feet and letting him lead. "I haven't! I've just seen them scattered about, and a few documentaries. It must be absolutely magical to see in person. Have you seen it?" She's animated, clearly interested in talk of butterflies.
The party continues, and Faith remains ever the gracious hostess, remaining for the entirety of the event. Further dancing and drinking as the night goes on, and on, and on, and the group are taken on a tour to a variety of places. The halls of Egyptian royalty, New York City in the 1920's, an imperial throne room in ancient China, it's a delight to the senses as she crafts visions of delight to entertain her guests. All the while through it the ballroom dancing continues, all the classical styles of dance encouraged into the small hours of the night before it all finally ends right back where it began in a Gilded Age Mansion on the north end of Chicago with an hour to spare before sunrise. | |