Cometh the Big Crying Wheel

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 15th
Location: A refurbished castle on the outskirts of Exsilium.
Characters: Anyone at the party!
Summary: Vanadi hosts a party that goes very poorly.
Warnings: Violence, probably! Let a mod know if we should update this.


It’s a lovely night for a party!

The venue at the outskirts of town is, unfortunately, a bit drafty — and actually rather sparsely furnished, as well. In fact, party goers are encouraged to mingle, drink, and enjoy themselves in the courtyard, as the castle itself wasn’t able to be renovated in time, and has proven to be a little bit architecturally unsound. Any explorative guests might find a small hail of dust and pebbles on their heads if they venture too far in — and who knows what else, if they continue on.

But the drinks and snacks both are plentiful and delicious, and the large canvas set up from castle wall to castle wall keeps off the sprinkling rain. The weather could even be described as warmish and pleasant, if one were feeling generous. A group of Exiles plays classic instruments in one corner of the courtyard, having been paid enough to even smile at any Transports that wander near.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a good night. Until about 10 PM, that is. Come 10 PM, the Misery rolls into town, tearing down the canvas, nullifying powers, and crying corrosive blood everywhere. That’s the cue for all hell to break loose, as the final wave of mind-controlled characters snag their victims and make for the hills — or at least for the UE. The mind-controlled characters will also have the backup of a squadron of 20 of the Masked, the UE's special ops force. The Masked's main goal is to grab those on their list and get away, but they're certainly not above shooting to kill at anyone that gets in their way. They're also highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and physically enhanced by their suits, so they're a good bunch to try to avoid.

But do have a wonderful time until then, won’t you?

Comments

[5055034455]

[Saul almost made that joke, too, but...

Ah, missed opportunities.

The mention of Collette has him straightening a little, suddenly more alert and a little worried. He looks around like he might spot Collette; when he doesn't see her, he looks back toward Steph with furrowed brows.]

And...?

[controlledvariable]

We're gonna go see if we can pick up the trails in the morning, with the retriever.

[The golden retriever morph, she means, and she's been kicking herself for not thinking of it sonner.]

And I want to talk to that guy who got taken by the UE before. See if he can tell us anything useful.

[5055034455]

[For a moment, he's quiet, turning the idea over in his head. On the one hand, he thinks it's stupid.

Stupid because it's dangerous.

But it's also really, really smart. No matter what they decide to do, it's going to be dangerous, so maybe — ]

And if you do pick them up, then what?

[controlledvariable]

[That's the question, isn't it?

She's quiet for a moment, considering, and she can't help the way her fingers press against her wrist. It's become something of a self-soothing gesture, the reminder that she can't be taken without Saul and Babs knowing where she is.]

I think it might be time to talk to the Initative.

[This isn't something they can do alone.]

[5055034455]

[There's something akin to relief in his expression, like that's the answer he was hoping for.]

Good. As long as you come back. No charging any castles on your own, okay?

[controlledvariable]

[She gives a tight nod. She'll come back, she just can't say it without worrying that she'll lose it agin.]

I'm not really one for charging. More sneaking in and lowering the gates for the cavalry.

[Jokes....?]

[5055034455]

Ah, the ol' Trojan Horse approach. Very good.

[He really doesn't want to talk about this, though. There's his update: Collette knows, she and Steph are going out tomorrow morning. Good. That's all he needs to know.

Which actually isn't true, and he has about a dozen more questions, but what he offers Steph instead is his hand.]

Dance with me?

[controlledvariable]

[That's not what she was expecting, and she eyes his hand warily. Not in the same way she was worried about Collette, just...]

Is that a good idea?

[She wants to say yes so badly, but they have to be careful, and it has nothing to do with the threat of the United Earth.]

[5055034455]

[lol

lol

does he even have to answer that I mean seriously]

C'mon. Just one?

[controlledvariable]

[....]

Okay.

[The way she takes his hand is a little cautious, but it's so easy to see how much she relaxes as soon as she touches him.

She really hopes no one is paying attention to them.]

[5055034455]

[He smiles back at her as he leads her out to the dance floor. It's an attempt to be reassuring, somehow.

At least there's no thumpy bass music slamming into his eardrums. What the hired musicians are playing is much slower and calls for something a little more proper than whatever the hell happened last time he and Steph danced, and he's been doing well so far with the not-tripping-over-his-own-feet-while-leading thing, so maybe he'll be lucky and the trend will continue.

Really, though, he totally just wanted an excuse to sweep Steph into his arms.

Which he's just done.

But that's what people do when they waltz, right? So it's fine. It's okay. No big deal.]

[controlledvariable]

[She doesn't know why, but the way he sweeps her into his arms just makes her feel like bursting into tears all over again. It's a sweet gesture, and she wishes they could do things like this without having to constantly look over their shoulders.

She wishes she could do things like this without feeling sick with guilt.

The smile she gives him is warm, but shaky.

Still, she settles her hand on his shoulder, and she's glad that Alfred taught her how to waltz all those years ago, so she doesn't have to worry about stepping on any toes.]

[5055034455]

[She could step on his toes. He wouldn't mind.

Proper waltzing calls for his hand to be a little higher than where it's wound up — pressed against the small of her back — and there should be more space between them, probably, but who cares. Right? Right.

He tries to think of something to talk about once he steps into the flow of the music, but all he's really able to do right now, it seems, is watch her as they go.]

[controlledvariable]

[She doesn't know what to say, either.

It's easier to just dance. It's nice to just dance, to relax for a few moments instead of feeling constantly on edge. She knows she shouldn't be doing this, and she feels guilty for dancing with Saul when she should be worrying about her girlfriend, but she can't help but be incredibly selfish for a little while.

When she smiles again up at him again, it's a steadier expression, and the tension has drained from her shoulders in favour of moving with the music, with Saul.

She's so screwed.]

[5055034455]

[Speaking of girlfriends, Saul is pretty sure his is probably watching and plotting murder somewhere on the sidelines, unless someone's distracted her.

God, how he hopes someone's distracted her.

At least he's not so stupid that he makes any other moves.

They're just dancing, see? And the way he's looking at Steph means absolutely nothing.]

[controlledvariable]

[This really was a bad idea.

She knows because when she manages to meet his gaze, all she can think about is how much she wants to kiss him. Right now is the point where she'd run, but that would just draw even more attention to them and potentially raise questions and she can't risk that.]

Saul.

[She looks like she wants to say more, but after opening her mouth and closing it again, she realizes that she has no idea what.]

[5055034455]

[He's not stupid. He's not. And he actually has to remind himself of this, because the way she says his name gets him all twisted up inside and yes, he agrees, this was dumb as hell.

But he is not stupid.

So he won't kiss her or lace their fingers together or anything; he just continues moving with the music, fixing her with a look that's half expectant — what is it? — and half pleading.

Don't. Whatever it really is, don't.]

[controlledvariable]

[She knows exactly what that look means.]

I think this was a bad idea.

[So quietly, but her tone is almost light, as if they can make a joke of how messed up this whole situation is.

Or maybe saying it out loud will help them do the smart thing and stop.]

[5055034455]

[What he's waiting for is the music to die down, but it doesn't. The segue into another song is smooth, quick. And Stephanie's still in his arms, and they're still dancing.

He sees the problem, but he's ignoring it.

If she's going to try to kid around about this...]

You really think I'm that bad a dancer?

[controlledvariable]

[Thank God he runs with the joke; it makes it easier to act like this isn't a big deal.]

I learned with someone who can read body language, you're just at a bit of a disadvantage there.

[God, but she misses Cass.]

[5055034455]

[He clicks his tongue, all disapproval.]

Well that's one hell of an unfair comparison.

[controlledvariable]

I never said I was fair.

[It's so much easier now they're talking instead of just... dancing and watching each other.]

But I did have to lead with her, so I guess you win in that area.

[5055034455]

[Now there's a statement he agrees with: Steph is absolutely not fair. But neither is he, so...

He arches an eyebrow, smirking.]

Would you like to take the lead, mademoiselle?

[controlledvariable]

[can he not]

I think I'm good, thanks.

[Somehow that seems like a bad idea, and not just 'cause it might draw more attention if she was leading.]

And I'm pretty sure I've told you not to call me that.

[She addds a pout for effect.

They're just - playing around. There's definitely nothing serious going on here.]

[5055034455]

[Can she not pout like that? Lord.]

Ahiru wants me to go to France with her. I've gotta practice my French, oui?