THE GALA ON ADSUM (Mingle Log)

[serpentis]

Who: Anyone and Everyone!
Broadcast: Nope!
Action: A ballroom on Adsum
When: 2/21, Evening-Night



[And the night has arrived! Dorian put out an open invitation, and anyone who is interested is welcome to dress up and meet up for a night of dancing and fawning over each other. Make sure to wear your best, everyone! It's a very special episode of Drift Fleet!]

((OOC: There was an open invitiation, but even if your character never replied or has had personal contact with Dorian, feel free to assume he's let them come along or be dragged along by someone else! I'll be tagging some threads, but if you want a thread to be closed, please just say so in the header.))

Comments

VARRIC; OPEN

[merchantprince]

[Varric usually doesn't bother showing up to these sorts of things, but he's here anyway. Dorian had the loveliest invitation. And he likes Dorian. And besides that, he has some new threads to show off.

He's left his leather duster back home. He wears an open-front shirt in a shade of teal blue-green, embroidered with gold thread. It matches his usual gold necklace perfectly. Offsetting that is a sash around his waist of deep purple, leading down into dark pants and boots. Which have been polished, for once. Aside from his extraordinary charm and chest hair, he appears to be unarmed, but one can never be sure.

One might find him entertaining a group of ballgoers with a story, or maybe quietly watching from the sidelines with a drink. Despite Adsum banning alcohol, well... someone had to spike the punch.]

[ino]

[ HEY BRO. She's making her way over, after picking up a drink. She hasn't ... actually had a sip yet, but -- ]

Ah, hey -- !

[dawnwillcome]

[At home, Varric had always been something of a grounding influence. He took things in stride, he understood her initial mistrust of humans, and from the very beginning he had her back. Some of that absolutely translates into how easy it is for Jove to approach him once she spots him, but it isn't just her memories of how he'll be her friend in the future.

It's how he is now, the life of the party, getting himself in good with the locals while breaking their rules. She isn't a fan of big parties like this, and seeing a familiar face that also happens to be Varric's is more welcome than she'd like to admit. There's a chance to make sure this Varric is a part of her life too, a trusted friend, and there's no way she'll let that chance slip. Someone has to help her keep all the others in check, right? When she makes her way over, it's with a glass of what he just happened to spike, of course.]

You know, I could swear that this has a little more kick to it than it's supposed to. Any ideas why that might be?

[howcanihelp]

[ And bless you for spiking that punch, Varric, because Stephanie, though looking lovely so dressed up is feeling a little lost now that she's here.

Definitely doesn't help that she's so short and easy to lose in a crowd.

She looks a bit relieved when she spots Varric and beelines over to him. He's a familiar face, if nothing else. ]

Mas-- Varric. You look very handsome tonight.

[heresyandlace]

[oop... someone is a huge sucker for stories, so while he might have otherwise glanced right over Varric--obligatory short joke--his attention is immediately tugged over as he passes nearby.

and as interesting as all of these beautiful people are, a good story will always win out.

so, Varric's got one more fabulously-dressed audience member for his latest tale, who starts a little round of applause once it's over.]

INO; OPEN

[ino]

[ Ino is looking positively radiant tonight in the lovely orange and gold sari that Garak custom tailored for her, some choice gold and ruby jewelry picked out to match adorning her wrists, ears, chest, and so on ...

The fact that she actually looks happy and excited to be there doesn't hurt, and the pheromone glitch she's currently experiencing definitely doesn't hurt either.

The whole thing kind of reminds her of the times they'd shown up all dressed up for whatever occasion in the Paradisa ballroom. In fact, if she closes her eyes now, she can still see the damn thing in front of her, and she's not sure if she misses it or resents the fact that she can still remember it.

Either way, she'll be milling about mingling with people and looking for the people she knows to say hello ... !]

[wilder]

[Oh look who is standing by a pillar, being an unsocial jackass. Per usual. That's right. It's this guy. At least his outfit looks nice even if it's as black as his soul, and his short hair is is well groomed.]

[But thanks to the pheromones? He'll actually turn his head when she comes by. And even speak without needing speaking to first]

Ino. You look lovely tonight.

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley has finally been freed of his pheromone glitch, which is the only reason he's allowed himself out in public again. It's just no fun having people attracted to you via magical means. There's no challenge.

Ino is looking exceptionally pretty tonight, but he doesn't notice that right away. He'll just slink over with some spiked punch and offer her a lazy wave. ]

'Lo Ino, gona all our tonight, hmm?

[detectivewonder]

There's a little more room for a dance lesson, if the first one didn't scare you off.

[Tim does, in fact, sidle up as smoothly and silently as a ninja, much less showy in his suit than Ino is in her sari, and oblivious of the fact that he has his own cloud of glitchy pheromones. But it's a relief to see someone he knows - a double relief to see someone he's danced with, even if it was just a brief demo in a cramped kitchen. Looking at her now, he doesn't remember it as being half as awkward as it had been. ]

[ladiesss]

Wow...

[s-she might notice this vaguely-familiar-looking teenage girl (though she's all dressed up in a black dress, and her hair is up) staring at her and her gorgeous outfit...]

[treasureling]

[ She gets a kind of wide-eyed look from Malak, startled and impressed at the beauty of the outfit. At her beauty. ]

You're beautiful. [ It's kind of a silly thing to say, but he makes it sound natural, somehow. It's a compliment. Glances up to her face, with a little smile, remembering the end of their only conversation. ] I promised I wouldn't murder anyone. I'm happy to say that's been a success.

KANEIS; OPEN

[wilder]

[Kaneis hadn't wanted to come to this thing. Galas reminded him far too much of his old life- and it doesn't help that he's been to so many that they've all but lost their thrill.]

[But, someone had twisted his arm to come- so there was no getting out of it. At least, he supposes, if he's lucky he might be able to land some good jobs from the natives. At least, if he gets around to actually interacting with them.]

[As for now, he's standing on near one of the walls, watching the crowds - standing with the sort of stiffness that one might mistake for not being used to this situation. He cleans up good at least, he's got a nice dark outfit that fits in with the fashions of Adsum and covers up that crystal on his chest. In his gloved hand, he's got a glass of punch that he's drinking out of it]

[Which believe him- He is ever so grateful that someone's spiked it already]

[retconciled]

[It's been a while since she saw him but she stops, peering at him for a moment.]

--Oh no you still look attractive! [This is actually despairing.] But nowhere near Ludger-- Well. Okay he's more cute than whatever the hell word you use for attractive. Was it sexy? Yeah sexy. Well anyway you're not sexy either so don't go thinking I said that.

[Milla then what did you even say.]

Malak; Open

[treasureling]

[ He hadn't had enough time to get something from Garak, and so he'd found something on the moon itself. It's a black suit, with rich purple in the shirt and tie underneath. The clothes are unfamiliar, but they're comfortable - and they have pockets! Structured in different places and loose in different places from what he's used to, but he decides that he likes it.

He's gone with a little makeup, too, lined his eyes in dark colors and lengthened the eyelashes.

Even as beautiful as he looks, and as comfortable as the clothes are, he looks a little ill at ease. Maybe a little too alert regarding his surroundings. He can't quite relax. ]

[ladiesss]

[there's a maybe-familiar girl looking at him from a little way over... she's wearing a gorgeous black dress and had her hair done up. that might be a little bird skull on her necklace, but she's got to keep some of her creep together.

anyway, she's trying to figure out if this guy is really that guy she met a while ago, back on the other moon... but she's been in a good mood lately, so she'll walk up to him!]

Dorian / Open

[serpentis]

[Dorian is very at home in some way, among the crowd. It reminds him of Tevinter- of balls and galas but without the blood sacrifices and assassination.

It's fun, and he finds himself relaxing a bit, but it brings the familiar pang of homesickness. Despite wandering, and no matter where he was- Tevinter was home.

Dorian floats about, striking up conversation where he can. Tonight's ensemble are black and gold robes, printed in gold ink with a serpent coiling around him and resting its head over his heart. Black gloves, boots, and a gold chain with a blood red stone at his collar finished it. He looked almost a caricature of an evil Magister, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

If someone manages to catch him, it's either sitting at a table resting for a moment, or he's vanished from the ballroom and can be found on a balcony overlooking a garden.]

[ino]

[ she's approaching with an amused grin ]

Dorian, you're looking a bit scary tonight.

CROWLEY; OPEN

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley is, of course, fashionably late. He's wearing a suit he commisned from Garak. He won't be dancing, not ever, but he will be wandering around, looking so casual he might as well be posing. Which he probably is.

Shame about the lack of alcohol.]

yO

[serpentis]

[Dorian almost passes him by, but there's something about him that he stands out. So he stops, and inclines his head a bit, smiling.]

Glad to see that you could make it.

Tim Drake | OTA

[detectivewonder]

[Well, he did show up in a suit, after all. And it has to be good for his ratings. And it sounded like Cass and Steph were going to be there, which was really the important thing.

He hasn't yet figured out that his augment has overclocked his pheromones, although he's sure by now that something is subtly different, just a little off from usual, and so he stands on the sidelines, surprised by the number of people who approach or even shoot him second glances.]

[hellofist]

[Cass was able to find Tim quickly enough once she showed up, and she's spent the entire time pacing and wringing her hands. Stephanie was going to meet them, and it was going to be the first time they were all together in person. She's nervous, a little scared, kind of feels like she's going to throw up, honestly.

At least she looks nice, though. Her dress is one she saw in a window and took a liking to because of the color scheme, and it hadn't taken long to save enough money from body guard jobs to afford it. It swishes around her legs as she walks back and forth in front of Tim, trying to focus on her nerves and not the way Tim's strange alluring... whatever, hasn't gone away. Things would be easier if that would stop.]

She'll really come, right? We'll... see her, tonight. Right?

Cecil ; OTA | Any format

[proteusmoon]

The party reminds Cecil a lot of the lavish galas that used to be thrown in Baron before the death of the Queen and it rouses a lot of nostalgia — and yes, a bit of pain — to be here amongst the colorful party-goers. She hasn't been queen of the country herself long enough to have a reason to host such an affair and, frankly, she didn't think large parties were appropriate while Baron was still mourning the passing of their former monarch and the entire world was still feeling the wounds that the war had left on them so sharply. The last event had been her coronation and she had been careful to ensure it came nowhere even close to being considered extravagant for these very reasons.

Normally, she would have felt more conflicted about attending this one, but when the idea was propositioned to her, she found herself less so than she should have been and she immediately impulsively answered in agreement. Come to think, she's been a lot more compulsive lately. The pheromones issue seems to have been fixed, but now there's this... She thinks she knows a little bit how Zhas must have felt.

Now, here she is, dressed in a silver, relatively modest cocktail dress, at least in comparison to some of the other bolder, more luxurious gowns seen throughout the event, and while she does keep thinking back to Baron, she hasn't yet made use of the wall to sit out any of the activity, socializing in a friendly manner as the compulsions take her. Her hair is half done up, a sparkling silver clip with an emblazoned lavender butterfly on it holding her white waves in place, and she's even seen fit to wear some makeup, the effect making her already naturally dramatic appearance look even more so. All in all, she seems rather happy.

[detectivewonder]

Care to dance?

[Tim's smiling, full of adrenaline for reasons that have much more to do with other atendees at the dance, still unaware of the pheromones he's emitting. His suit is well-tailored, but it's also all he has to wear apart from what passes for uniforms on-ship, so it's become rather mundane. Still, he manages a courteous smile and a bow, and a look of genuine interest - part socialite training, part genuine curiosity about a crewmate.]

Jove Lavellan | OTest of all the As

[dawnwillcome]

[Despite her protesting, Jove is here at this party for some reason. The reason is absolutely Dorian, but if asked she'd never admit it. It has nothing to do with keeping an eye on him, of course. They do match though, her dress something that could absolutely be right at home in her own world. Her hair is down from its usual ponytail, but swept back from her face with a simple braid.

And yes, her toenails are definitely painted to match.

Still, coming to a party thrown by humans wasn't something that was on the top of her list of things to do. That likely shows in the way she hangs around the edges of the crowds, blending as well as an elf with white hair can while sampling anything that looks like it might be some form of dessert. The Winter Palace is still a very bitter memory, but at least there are no masks involved with this ball. So far, she hasn't been asked to stop anyone from assassinating anyone else. Maybe, just maybe, it'll be a relatively uneventful evening.

A girl can dream, at least. Maybe there will even be tiny cakes.]

[unconfines]

[The closest thing to a proper party he's ever been to were loud, impromptu sing-a-longs at rowdy taverns in the wee hours of the morning. An event like this, with all its elegant dress and classic dancing, feels distinctly like a place he shouldn't be making a spectacle of himself. Which, if he's honest, is what really makes him relish making a spectacle of himself.

As such, he's approaching all this with the air of a party crasher, invitation or no, which essentially means he's helping himself to as much food and punch (Maker bless the kind soul of whoever spiked it, he needed it) as he can possibly have, as soon as possible. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for everyone else, he's very much lightweight, and he's flushed a bit pink as he ducks from person to person and tray to tray, still early on in the evening.

Which is what has him eventually sidling up beside her, picking at a plate of various finger foods. He leans toward her, with a loud, conspiratorial stage whisper:]

Now, now, that's not how it's done at all.

Tek; Open

[heresyandlace]

[Tek wouldn't have missed this for the world, and he is there to be seen. he's dressed impeccably, in fine, fitted layers of black and lavender--with tiny, glittering accents of red to bring out the rosier shades in his eyes--with tall-heeled boots and jewelry to match.

and his face has been tended to with just as much care, smoky khol and touches of color around his eyes.

he's riding the line between classy and a tart, and he's enjoying every minute of it. as long as he's attracting attention of some kind, he's calling the night a success.]

[onlyanapple]

[Like Crowley's going to miss out on this. He saunters over, smirk as always, firmly in place. ]

Aren't we looking fancy tonight?

STEPHANIE AMELL; OPEN

[howcanihelp]

[ Stephanie is not really sure how she managed, but like many things in her life, getting a dress and her hair done managed to just happen. So she is feeling quite beautiful, if a bit out of place.

She's petite, but while she once would've been more skinny than slender, back at the Circle the last time she wore anything that wasn't layered and covering most of her build, she has filled out a bit more (and put on more muscle) in the past two years. Which means that she feels like she actually looks really good in this dress, even with how... low that neckline is.

Still, she's more often to be found hanging hesitantly near the edges of the room than dancing or socializing. She really doesn't know how she's supposed to behave at an event this fancy... ]

[detectivewonder]

Stephanie. Have you met Stephanie?

[Tim glides up, graceful and well-dressed in a sleek suit, nodding across the dance floor at another out of place athletic blonde, lips twitching in a smile. The evening is going well, so far, if strangely, and it's left him in an unusually expansive mood.]

KRISTA | open

[ladiesss]

[one would not expect the awkward, nerdy, teen-jargon-spouting Krista Kingsley to have shown up to something like this, but she's been in an unusually good mood lately. that, and she used to go to these things all the time. her parents would take her.

sure, back then she was twelve, and it was mostly so that they could go, "look how darling, smart, and well-behaved our children are!" to their business associates, and back then she wore little pink and blue dresses with big, embarrassing bows in her hair, but... we can all just pretend that's history, right?

she's wearing a specially tailored dress. it's been infused with a little Glamour, so something about it just seems especially nice for some reason. she's done her hair up stylishly, unlike her usual lifeless and lanky affair. her makeup is even toned down--more of a mysterious smoky eye rather than the full-shadow thing she usually does. her cute necklace might have a small bird skull as the focal piece, but she can't go completely un-creepy, right?

she's hanging around, talking to people she knows... seems like she's having a fun time, but she still hangs around the edges of the room and listens to other conversations more than she actually engages in new ones. if there is dancing, she places herself strategically far away from it. that, and the punch bowl.]

[detectivewonder]

[Maybe it's the glamour, and maybe it's taking the Mulder-Scully dynamic too seriously: either way, when Tim sees her, he lets out a low, surprised whistle.]

Nunnally, Open!

[blindoptimism]

[on the edge of the party scene, there is a large mechanical wheelchair parked, and a girl is sitting in it, watching all the crazy proceedings. Nunnally is all did up in a dress that was sent to her by dear viewers (her fans seem to have a particular... taste. It's not what she would have chosen, but Garaak has been kind enough to modify it so that it's not too embarrassing. Her thick mound of hair is pulled back into a low hanging bun, and there's a small crystalline star hairpin nestled in her hair.

Unfortunately, Nunnally is going through a mood drop thanks to the augment malfunctions. It doesn't show on her face, she just seems a little distant as she watches all the dancing and festivities. She has a beverage cradled in her hands, although it still seems quite full, she's sipping it very slowly.

If she sees your character come near, they will be met with a thin smile and a wave of her right hand. Her smile doesn't look strained per say, it just doesn't quite meet the dazzling splendor of the party. Or, if your character is quiet in their approach, it's very likely that Nunnally won't notice them until they say something (she's pretty distracted and deep in thought)]

HELLO DEAR

[serpentis]

[Dorian flits about the party, imagining himself as much of a serpent as is printed on his robe. It's a ruse, like everything else about him, and when he spots Nunnally, he pauses. He had no idea she had need of something like the chair, and he frowned a bit. Well, he couldn't very well ask her to dance.

He approaches, sauntering toward her, and drops own to a knee with an extravagant bow, and then smiles up at her.]

Miss Nunnally, good to see you could make it. Your dress is quite charming.

ADACHI; OPEN

[cabbagedetective]

[Let's just be clear, this is not really Adachi's scene. He's never been a fan of large social gatherings. All they ever end up being is a giant collection of idiots, prattling on about themselves. Adachi would rather stab himself in the eye.]

[HOWEVER, this was a good chance for him to meet a lot of the fleet members he hadn't run into yet. Some of these idiots may actually have information relevant to his current "investigation." And he had technically been invited by that Dorian guy when they met at a bar, so what the hell.]

[He had been told to dress up, but that would imply putting forth more effort than he already did into dressing himself. At the very least, he had managed to iron his jacket, shirt and pants for the occasion. His usual detective suit was not likely going to blow anyone away, but it still was formal enough to pass. After all, he really just wanted to get in the door.]

[Adachi will be milling around, likely sipping on a drink. Now came the part that he had been dreading... socializing. Still, if anyone approaches, he'll put on a smile, be courteous, and only politely excuse himself if the conversation gets too tedious or boring. Despite his disdain for the activity, Adachi is certainly adept at faking good interpersonal skills.]

[ino]

[ she's just passing by, but she can't help but notice how .... normal this guy looks. In most cases, that would actually make it much easier for him to blend in, but at a party where most everyone has gone out of their way to dress up -- herself included, the sparkling orange sari and flashy gold jewelry made her hard to miss -- well, it made him stick out like a sore thumb. She approaches with a friendly smile, though -- his type of person is probably someone who isn't used to fancy events like this ]

You look like you're not really much of a party person.

arhen lavellan (open and stuff!)

[noherald]

[This is really not his sort of thing, as he'd told Dorian when he was invited... but he'd also promised Dorian he would come, and so Arhen's followed through (with perhaps a bit more excitement than he'd ever admit to, and certainly more effort.)

Anyone who's met the elf before will probably recognize him without much effort, given his small stature and bright red hair, but he's dressed like a completely different person in comparison to the practical Dalish clothing he's clung to. His robes are green and gold fabric wrapped and layered in a semi-Greek fashion, his hair's been pulled into a nicer up-do than the usual ponytail he wears-- his ears are even decorated with delicate chained jewelry. In true personal fashion, though, he's found a way to forgo wearing shoes: they've been substituted with similar jewelry to the pieces adorning his ears, which is close enough to barefoot for his comfort.

And despite his apprehension, he actually seems... well, a little excited about the whole thing, green eyes bright and quick to smile. It's an almost unnaturally good mood, really, but he hardly feels like complaining; instead he'll be found all over the place, eager enough to catch up after arriving fashionably late to the party.]

I had no idea these could actually be something close to pleasant, did you? The Orlesians could learn a thing or two, nothing I saw back in Thedas was quite like this...

[parricida]

Not a fan of parties, hm? Or have you simply had some rather dire experiences with them?

[Arhen looks fantastic, dressed in greens and gold. This gala isn't his cup of tea, not at all-- but at least it looks good, thanks to his and Dorian's combined efforts.]

Finrod, Open and laaaate

[faithfulwisdom]

[Finrod makes a striking figure at the Gala. His hair is braided back in an elaborate style and he wears a simple but elegant tunic and trousers, looking every bit the Elvish prince he is.

While he is not so overtly cheerful as he had been before the augment malfunctions, the brunt of his melancholy seems to have passed, leaving him subdued yet companionable.

Don't be surprised if he wanders over with an extra glass of punch and offers it to you.]

May I ask your thoughts on the evening?