And We Danced (Masquerade Overflow!)

[thespaceopera]

The Captcha is upon us, but the party isn't over! Feel free to continue your threads here, start new ones, and continue the dance party!

- Original Mingle
- OOC Post

[[OOC: Wait for Sections! Sections are up! Feel free to use the section prompts or make your own! We'd also advise against just linking back to your original mingle post for the sake of players with slower computers.]]

Comments

For Beverly.

[faithfulwisdom]

That sounds absolutely delightful. Shall we begin with one of yours? [As he positions himself across from her (that seems to be consistent, at least), he adds:] I have news, you know.

[dancingmd]

News? [Grinning, she guides his hands to their proper positions: one at her waist and the other holding her hand out to the side. Then she begins a basic waltz, taking her steps slowly at first so he can learn.] What sort of news?

[faithfulwisdom]

[Ah, well. Those steps aren't terribly complicated, at least. He does spend a few moments watching his feet before he replies, however.]

The arrival of a kinsman. Maglor is his name.

[dancingmd]

[There's a bit of an amused sparkle in her eye as she answers.]

We have met. In fact he was my dance partner earlier. Very light on his feet.

[faithfulwisdom]

[Oh! Well, that gets a little startled laugh.] So he is! I should have realized he would also be playing the prince here. There is nothing quite like a ball to remind us of Tirion, it seems.

[dancingmd]

It has been lovely, being in this almost courtly setting. [She grins.] Though I hope he doesn't persist in calling me "my lady" afterwards.

[faithfulwisdom]

Oh, he most likely will, unless you tell him that you prefer otherwise. To address you by your name alone, without invitation- he would see this as a breach of propriety and overly familiar for a new acquaintance.

I admit, I also struggled with the issue of titles when I first arrived.

[dancingmd]

I am used to a certain amount of formality - I must say it did throw me when people assumed to call me Beverly, not Doctor - so I do understand. "My lady" just seems ... Strange to me, when my rank has nothing to do with birth and outside of Starfleet I have no rank.

[faithfulwisdom]

Ah, but you are a lady in the truest sense.

[He gives a little shrug] Strictly speaking, you are right- 'my lady' ought to be reserved for women of title. But there are times when it is better to bend the rules a bit.

[A pause and his smile turns a little wry] It is also a handy solution when one cannot quite decide the right thing to say- acceptable for almost all titles and, frankly, people tend to complain more loudly if you mistaken lower them in rank than if you elevate them.

[dancingmd]

[She smirks.]

I see flattery runs rampant in the family.

[Then she laughs.]

But you're right I suppose. Better to be overly polite if you're not sure.

[faithfulwisdom]

In a family such as ours, one either learns to be charming or decides that others simply need to learn to deal with things as they are. In my experience, it is the latter who make the former all the more necessary. [There may be a little smirk on the end of that sentence too.]

[dancingmd]

[She laughs.] Oh but we need those people in the world too, frustrating though they may be sometimes.

[Who is this "they" Beverly, you absolutely are that person sometimes.]

[faithfulwisdom]

Oh, I am well aware. But when that trait is coupled with an excess of pride, it can troublesome.

[dancingmd]

Almost any trait that comes with excess pride becomes a problem, even charm.

[faithfulwisdom]

That is certainly true. But in royal families, there is a certain danger to bluntness.

[dancingmd]

[She chuckles.] Funny, the only person I know at home who is a noble is also the most blunt person I've ever met - and it's wonderful.

[faithfulwisdom]

[He raises his eyebrows.] Truly? Perhaps I should limit my observations to the politics of the Eldar, then. Though I would have thought some cautiousness near universal- a reluctance to 'show one's hand,' as it were. [No, Finrod. It's just that elves are horrifically cryptic to begin with, even before you add politics into the mix.]

[dancingmd]

When everyone in your society is telepathic and that's your primary form of communication, I think it's rather difficult to hide much of anything. Betazoids have always valued straightforwardness.

[faithfulwisdom]

[Opens mouth. Closes mouth.] Well, yes, I suppose it would be! It is amusing; those I know who have the strongest gift in what you would call 'telepathy' are also the most cryptic. But I suppose if were were all so gifted, they would not have us at such a disadvantage.

[dancingmd]

[She grins at his reaction. If only Lwaxana were here.]

No, I suppose not.

[Her voice drops now. Doubtful anyone is listening to them, but still, she wants to respect the fact that this is probably not something he wants widely known.]

Speaking of such things... may I ask you something, about your own abilities?

[faithfulwisdom]

Of course. I make no secret of them. [So he's a little taken off-guard by the lowered voice. Granted, he doesn't discuss it much, but that's not precisely the same thing.]

[dancingmd]

[She nods and her voice returns more or less to normal.]

I wasn't sure. That is not always the case for people with such abilities, which is why I wanted to ask you... have you met Daneel yet?

[faithfulwisdom]

Once, I think, and very briefly. I would recognize him by sight, but I could not claim to know him.

[dancingmd]

[She smiles.]

Well, I really need to fix that, for multiple reasons. Daneel is my...romantic partner.

[Hopefully that will avoid the cultural confusion she incurred with Maglor.]

And since you are two of the most important people in the fleet to me, I would like for you to meet. But, more to the point of our discussion, Daneel is an empath. In his world, such abilities are unheard of and if he were exposed… [She looks away for a moment. It’s horrible to think about, Daneel being deactivated and destroyed. How anyone could ever look at him and see something to fear is almost inconceivable to her, strong as her own love for him is. She takes a deep breath before looking at Finrod again.] Let’s just say it’s not safe for him to be open about what he can do. Yet this is a new ability for him and I think it would help him understand his own capabilities much better if he could talk to someone else who is familiar with such things.

[faithfulwisdom]

I did not realize! I am glad that you have found each other.

[But as Finrod continues to listen, his smile fades into a more serious expression. After a moment, he nods.]

I understand; people are wont to fear what they cannot comprehend. [That seems to be true in any world, unfortunately.] I would be glad to speak with him, if he also wishes it.