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

[detectivewonder]

Ninety-one kilograms on average.

[He moves gracefully, precisely, stepping into position for a waltz, tilting his head to listen to the music, catch the measure, be sure, and offering her a crooked smile.]

I'll count the steps, if you want?

[howcanihelp]

Heavier than me, then.

[ Her relief is quick and obvious ]

For a few measures, at least, if you would?

[detectivewonder]

Much. And, I'd be happy to.

Right-slide, left step, right step. Right slide, left step, right step. Right slide... it's okay, you can left yourself turn.

[howcanihelp]

[ Stephanie murmurs under her breath in time with Tim's count, concentrating on making sure her feet are moving the way they should be. It takes a few measures, but she finally does settle into what is, while not the most practiced, at least a serviceable rhythm. ]

Ah, there. Thank you. I haven't had much cause to practice before.

[detectivewonder]

Sometimes I feel like I haven't, either. It's nice to have the time to relax.

[howcanihelp]

I'm still working on the "relax" part, honestly. I keep worrying I'm going to say or do the wrong thing and thoroughly embarrass myself in front of all these quite elegant people.

[detectivewonder]

I know that feeling. I'm... pretty new to the party circuit.

[howcanihelp]

This is the first fancy party I've ever been to, honestly. I mean, there were a couple, after Denerim was cleared out, but mostly I stood on the dais for a while so people could look at me, and then snuck away to the pub to get drunk with my friends.

[ judging by the fond smile on her face, it was a good choice. ]

[detectivewonder]

If you got looking and drinking in, honestly, you're not missing much. That's all most people do. Well, and flirt, and gossip.

[howcanihelp]

I wasn't up for much of either, at the time, so it's probably all the better we snuck out early.

[ aaaand then she loses count of her steps and ends up stepping on Tim's toes. Damn. ]

Sorry! Sorry.

[detectivewonder]

Hey, tough feet, remember? You're fine.

[his own steps barely stutter, and rather than count aloud again, he taps out the steps with one finger, gently, a subtle signal.]

[howcanihelp]

Right. Still, sorry anyway.

[ It takes her a second to process what the tapping is, and when it clicks she smiles brilliantly at him, as a thank you without saying thank you. ]

Have you had lessons? You certainly seem to be more comfortable with the dancing than I am.

[detectivewonder]

Just practice, mostly. I mean, I was taught to dance, but not formal lessons. But... because of my family - both of them, really - I went to a lot of charity events, banquets and balls... and you either learn to dance, or look decorative standing next to the punchbowl. Decorative isn't my thing.

[He smiles back, both out of instinct and memory. This is a good night. A good conversation... a good partner, whether she can dance or not.]

[howcanihelp]

The only time I've looked decorative was the last ball I went to. I was definitely not a fan.

[ Steffa's glad for the good night. It's nice to get her mind off the more serious things that always seem to hover at the back of her head.

She does pause to look a little thoughtful, though. ]

...You know, if I hadn't been born a mage, I would be quite practiced at this type of event. My family, the Amells, were apparently a noble family in the Free Marches, just outside of Ferelden.

I hadn't really thought about that until now. That's odd to think about.

[detectivewonder]

'How things didn't happen' is always kind of a strange game.

[howcanihelp]

Indeed it is.

Do you play often?

[ f... lirty? Maybe? ]

[detectivewonder]

Second-guessing myself is one of those bad habits I can't quite kick, but I never start it early enough to do me any good. What about you?

[His tone shifts to vaguely flirtatious, on social-mirror instinct, but it never percolates to the level of conscious thought, which might be obvious by the actual content of what he says.]