Masquerade Mingle

[thespaceopera]

[The night has finally come--the Gravity Rush is nearly upon us! What normally serves as a large performance hall has been gutted, emptied of its boring furniture and rigged up into a fantastical mismatch of technology and old culture. No matter where you go tonight, you're encouraged to move around, dance, play games, whatever helps you sleep in late tomorrow morning.

If you aren't one for scurrying around a ballroom all night, there's always plenty of people-watching to do. After all, so many people are wearing extravagant costumes and elaborate masks. How can you even tell who is who? Get lost in a crowd of sequins, chatter with a sun and a moon, or try to beat the guy in the monster-mask at a game of cards. Meet your friends or make some new ones--this masquerade party has begun!]


[[ooc: All sections are up now, have fun! A related ooc post is HERE for any questions or plotting you'd like to do.]]

Comments

[child_of_bhaal]

She blushes, something he will come to realize she does frequently, at the direct compliment, but she doesn't try to deflect for once. She has put effort into looking nice for the occasion, so it would be silly to try to pretend she doesn't look good.

And of course, it would be very rude to refuse, and foolish. She wants to dance very much. She places her hand in his, light and a little shy.

"I've never danced at a party before. Not like this." It's not a refusal, just letting him know that this is not the kind of dancing she's used to.

[bythewaves]

He smiles back and leads her to the dancefloor, although he keeps them off the more crowded areas.

"Then I will do my best to make sure your first is a good one. Although I fear I am much out of practice - it has been several thousand years since I have had this sort of opportunity!"

[child_of_bhaal]

She's giddy with excitement as they step out onto the floor. Her love of dance is only matched by her love of music, art, and theatre, for they all fold into one another.

"You never forget how to dance. We'll be fine, or we'll pretend so well no one will be able to notice."

[bythewaves]

"I will do my best then!" He smiles and leads her in the steps of one of the slower court-dances of his youth.

[child_of_bhaal]

She's a very attentive student, careful and precise at first, but once she has the steps she's much more relaxed. She moves with ease, and follows his lead fairly well for a first time. All the while, she's all smiles, clearly delighted.

[bythewaves]

Once she's certain Maglor smiles at her and nods at the crowded floor.

"You are an excellent student - would you care to show off a little?"

[child_of_bhaal]

The smile can't get any brighter, but it's also not going anywhere for a while. She likes being a good student, when it's a subject she enjoys. And at his suggestion of showing off, her eyes get a mischievous twinkle in them.

"Lead and I'll follow."

[bythewaves]

He smiles back at her at that, and for a moment he looks less the quiet, melancholy bard, and more the prince of his people that he is in truth, the last of a fallen house, and the light in his eyes is mischievous.

"Keep up!" is all the warning he gives, and then he swings her into the dance, matching steps to time and adding the flourishes to make it something special - a spin here, a dip there. Maybe even a lift or two.

[child_of_bhaal]

Dancing is very much like battle. You learn the basic steps, and then you just have to trust yourself to know them in the moment. You have to be open to changes in rhythm, aware of the next step before it's being taken. And if you're truly good at it, then it all will seem to come naturally.

Syeira is truly good at both. She keeps up and then some; adds little flourishes in her steps, or trusts his strength when he lifts, posing her arms instead of holding on. And all the while she's all bright smiles and joyful laughs.

She's having the time of her life.

[bythewaves]

Maglor's eyes dance in joy to find such a good partner, and he continues to challenge her, leading her in intricate dips and twirls. By the time the song ends they have attracked plenty of eyes, and Maglor's eyes are bright with joy, his smile very real as he steps back to bow deeply to her.

[child_of_bhaal]

She curtsies to his bow, her chest rising and falling a little more obviously after that bit of acrobatics he'd put her through. She won't complain though. She's delighted, and for once, the attention of others doesn't seem to embarrass her. If the on lookers are impressed, well they had done a damn fine show, hadn't they?

"Well. How'd I do?" She's beaming as she asks. That had been incredibly fun.

[bythewaves]

"I think you did marvelously, milady." He smiles at her, eyes bright and breath only a little short.

"And certainly our audience thinks so too - shall we take our leave for the nonce?"

[child_of_bhaal]

"Yes, let's. As good a partner as you are, it's easier to catch up when not dancing, I think."

[bythewaves]

A smile and he offers her his arm, escorting her off the floor.

"A drink then, and perhaps a bit to eat?"