Midnight Nude Pool Party (open)

[antoinelaconte]

Yesterday, Antoine used the Send All function on the phone to send this message to all voicemail numbers in the Hotel:

"This is Antoine Laconte, your host tomorrow night at the Midnight Nude Pool Party! See you by the pool for dancing, swimming, and entertaining conversation at midnight sharp. Remember, no clothing allowed beyond the entrance."

Comments

Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

Voronwé was confused, which was not unusual these days. He'd studied everything in his room and adjoining bathroom, tried it out, been surprised and even scalded by the steaming hot water that had come out of those taps. It was all so amazing and vexing

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

Another new one, Antoine thought as he stepped forward to great his guest.

"Welcome, welcome," he said. "I'm Antoine. Would you care for champagne, beer or water?"

He'd taken up a station by the refreshment table since it was near the main door. He sipped his own drink and watched the well-dressed newcomer intently.

Re: Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

Voronwé remembered his manners, when Antoine adressed him, and closed his mouth as he inclined his head slightly. His black hair was meticulously braided as usual, revealing his ears fully.

"Thank you. I am Voronwé." He dared a brief glance past Antoine, but quickly returned his gaze to the face of the man in front of him.

"I do not wish to intrude. A message was delivered to me ... and I have to admit, I did not believe it."

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

Antoine had been taking notice of the expensive detail of the man's tunic such that he'd utterly failed to notice his ears.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Voronwe."

He was used to being nude in front of people who were clothed. He was also good at perceiving discomfort in others. And this man was not comfortable to be here.

"Many things are difficult to believe in this place. I find it relaxing to bathe without clothing and in good company." He shrugged lightly. "so I invited everyone. Have you been here long?"

Re: Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

"Likewise," Voronwé said with a slight smile. The man had good manners at least, which was comforting. Even if he seemed to have strange habits, along with others since he had seen other people in the room.

"I have not been here for long. It is 8 days ago now, that I arrived. For how long have you dwelled in this strange house? Is it true, that none can depart again?" Perhaps he had simply done it wrong?

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

"Hm barely a week. I've been here many weeks. And no, the one time I was able to leave it was only at our host's whim, and only for one day. I try to leave every morning, either by running or driving... and I always end up here again. And so, I turn to other pursuits for the day... until morning comes round again."

He nearly rambled at the man, who appeared very young looking, younger than Adrian. But the man had an air of innocence, no that wasn't right. An air of simplicity... something... that made Antoine want to help him to understand the incomprehensible.

"We all deal with it in whatever way keeps us sane... and we... help each other."

Antoine himself did duty nearly every night in the ball room, dancing. Some dance to remember. Some dance to forget. He danced to touch, to simply be with other humans. To not be alone.

Re: Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

Voronwé nodded even if what Antoine was saying was sending a chill through him. So, there was no way out. The Doctor had been right. It was deeply discouraging, but being an optimistic soul he knew there had to be a way to be found. It was just a matter of patience and determination.

"It is a strange place, this. So unlike my home. I do not understand many of the things that are here. I am fortunate though, that my friend Tuor has taught me how to speak the tongue of Man so well and even read some of it. Otherwise, I would have been completely without... understanding."

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

A shiver of fear swept through Antoine.

He's an alien...

Antoine took a calming breath. "You do speak well. English is my second language as well. I've never seen such an intriguing design," he said, gesturing toward Voronwe's tunic. "May I ask where you are from?"

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[1st_age_voronwe]

Something went through Antoine's eyes that reminded Voronwé of fear or apprehension. He was sure he was seeing it wrong though. He held no weapons and behaved as wellmannered as he'd been taught. Father would be proud of his composure.

Antoine's gesture had him look down briefly "Ah, it is a very common design, I am afraid. I have finer robes, but they would not fit the occasion, I think. I am from the fair city of Gondolin North of the lands of Beleriand..." he thought of The Doctor, who had spoken of different worlds in different planets. Perhaps this man was from yet another one of those planets?

"Middle-Earth." He added as elaboration.

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

Middle-Earth... could it be like Midgard? But isn't that legend?

"Common?" he asked, admiring the tunic. "It's exquisite. Subtle... and finely made." He met Voronwe's eyes. "I should like to see your finer robes some day. Perhaps we can share dinner some evening."

You did not just propose a dinner date with an alien! Antoine scolded himself. But he couldn't help it. Rich attractive men brought out the beast in him.

He smiled widely at Voronwe.

Re: Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

It was somewhat sureal to be conversing so politely - and pleasantly - with a naked, and very smiling man.

Perhaps this is a costum here in some areas, to attend gatherings without robes? Well, he couldn't know. What he did know was though, judging from the smile on Antoine's lips, he wasn't only interested in seeing those fine robes. Voronwé had lived for over 200 years after all, and had in those years certainly seen his share of such smiles. Well, he wouldn't mind being distracted and perhaps learn more of this strange world.

"I would be honoured to share dinner with you, Antoine. Although, I would presume you would be dressed for that occasion?" He said with a light smile. Now, that his initial confusion and slight disapprovement had faded, he was not above humour.

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

Antoine chuckled with delight. "Yes, I assure you I will be dressed. This," he waved an arm around the pool, "is highly unusual."

He smiled warmly feeling that he liked this man from another planet. "I fear, however, that my finest suit does not compare to your 'common' one... But we try."

He shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Tell me of Gondolin. What did you do there?"

Re: Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

Aha, not a costum then. That was reassuring. Of course, the other times he had been around the humans here, they had all been dressed. It was just difficult to know, in such a different culture.

When he directed his thoughts towards home, his expression got slightly wistful. He had not been home for several months after being at sea, and was longing to see the great city again, and his family.

"Gondolin is a hidden city, standing on the hill of Amon Gwareth, surrounded by the Echoriath... the Encircling mountains. It was built by Turgon and completed a little less than a hundred years before my birth. It is beautiful, with tall white walls and the great white tower of the king." But for how long would those white walls and towers stand, if Melkor's black hordes had found their way so far into the West, even attacking on the routes between Vinyamar and Gondolin? A flicker of worry went across his face before he composed himself.

"I am a Mariner in King Turgon's fleet. I navigate the fair ship Inzilbêth on the seas between Aman and

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

Antoine's eyes did not want to to close long enough to blink lest he miss the deep thoughtful emotions that passed across this beautiful alien's face.

A new white city. Clean, pristine, fresh. "It sounds wonderful," Antoine murmured. And you look like you miss it sorely.

"Oh, a seaman!" There was something ethereal about Voronwe. Antoine would never have guessed a hard sailor's life for him. "How big is Inzilbeth? How many crew?" he asked curiously.

Re: Voronwé looks by

[1st_age_voronwe]

"It is a wonderful place and grows more beautiful by the day. My father's house is very close to the King's tower and gardens, so I have spent many hours enjoying the sight of them." Voronwé's smile grew slightly again.

"Inzilbêth has three full-rigged masts and is 126 feet in length and has a crew of 65." He wished he could fully describe the beauty of that ship. It was his second home and he was proud of it. "It is one of the largest and fastest ships in Turgon's fleet."

Re: Voronwé looks by

[antoinelaconte]

Antoine itched to feel coarse sailor hands. Voronwe's skin... of his face was so smooth and fine, not burnt and dried by the sun and wind and salt of the sea.

"I don't suppose you can draw it for me? I would like to see the king's tower ... and your ship."

Voronwe's face lit with memory. Antoine remembered vacations sailing the Mediterranean. Lovely, fun times.