Comfort and Joy

[noprevaricating]

Who: Come one, come all! ...In formal attire.
What: A Christmas ball, old world style.
When: December 1st, beginning around five in the afternoon and ending when the last person leaves.
Where: The rec center.
Summary: Earth's eighteenth-century peeps are throwing one hell of a party.
Rating: Well, considering no one is serving water? Probably PG-13 for

Comments

[lists_to_port]

When Jack Sparrow finally returns to the party, it's after scrubbing himself clean at House Seven and suiting up.

Lord Cutler Beckett taught him well, back when he was acting as the other man's captain in the EITC. There were at least two occasions when he had to blend in with the quality at their customary parties. So believe it or not, Captain Jack Sparrow will be clean and mannerly tonight. Partly this is because he still has not had a chance to rest after his week-long mission. The man is tired. However, rum punch will go some distance to make him tired-and-happy; seeing his friends again will also help to get him into the spirit of things.

Jack will gladly take part in the dancing; he might, after relaxing a bit more, request a lively tune that was often played back in the Twelve Daggers and the Faithful Bride. He is absolutely going to eat.

He MIGHT be standing under the mistletoe at an opportune moment.

You could talk him into a wager as well, though much of his night will probably be occupied by staring at Buffy.

[tehoniongirl]

The only thing that could make the night better was having everyone together in one place. She had hoped Jack would be back in time, of course, for Buffy's sake...but she had been afraid to count on it. And when the night had started and he hadn't shown, she did her best to swallow the worry and the enjoy the night.

It's only later that she catches sight of him through the crowd. She almost doesn't recognize him, stepping off the dance floor to give her feet a rest. Holding her skirts up with one hand, she's smiling and doing her best not to trip when she suddenly realized just who she'd spotted.

Eyes wide, she forgets the worry of stumbling over her feet as she hurries towards him, sheer relief and joy lighting up her eyes. "Jack!"

[lists_to_port]

"Jilly!" The pirate wastes no time in catching the young artist up in a hug. There is time for a double-take before that show of affection, though; rarely has Jack seen the woman in anything remotely as fitted as this gown, which shows off her figure admirably. "Unless you are simply an ethereal vision of beauty and not our Jilly at all?"

[tehoniongirl]

She laughed, eagerly returning the hug. This was the perfect complement to an already wonderful night. "I'm very real...and you're a shameless flatterer. If you want to complement someone, complement Elizabeth for picking out the dress."

[lists_to_port]

"I compliment her often enough, don't I?" He casually looked around for Liz, who was also beautifully attired, before turning back to the girl he was still holding. "Are you suggesting I do not know a beautiful wen---woman when I see one?"

[tehoniongirl]

"I think I should be the one worrying about mirages," she said, neatly avoiding his question as she reluctantly pulled away. "I'm so glad you're here."

[lists_to_port]

"I'm glad to be back," came the soft reply. Jack brushed his knuckles against her cheek before releasing her. "It's been a rather longish week."

[tehoniongirl]

"But...you're alright?" She was hoping that he had to be, if he was there right now.

[lists_to_port]

"I am doing brilliantly now I'm back here, aye. Much more better than that cold miserable port, lass."

Jack decided that she didn't necessarily need more details on that; just to know that he was fine, and be reassured.

"What of yourself?"

[tehoniongirl]

"I'm here and with friends. I'm wonderful." Glancing over her shoulder back at the dance floor, her smile only widened when she turned back to Jack. "I don't suppose I can talk you into a dance? Assuming you've already had one with Buffy."

Buffy, of course, needed to have the first.

[lists_to_port]

"I have, and I would be honored, Mistress Blue-Eyes, to partner you. Unworthily, of course." He offered her his arm.

[tehoniongirl]

"Hardly. You probably know these dances better than I do." A few lessons with Archie does not an expert make. But her smile only widens as she takes his arm. Familiar moves or not, dancing holds a special place in her heart.

[lists_to_port]

"Sort of," he admitted. "I don't typically dance, back home. And the only high-toned functions I've been to were dinners, not balls." But he is a quick study, is Jack Sparrow; that's what allowed him to succeed at those fancy dinners in the first place. Good at imitating and sensing social expectations. He bows to his partner as the song strikes up.

[tehoniongirl]

She beams, returning that bow with a careful curtsy (with only a small glance to the side to check how it's done) and then the dance begins. Music and sailors and pirates and dancing. She really couldn't have asked for a more perfect night. "This is definitely one of the fancier events I've ever been to."

[lists_to_port]

"I hardly ever attend anything this high-toned, myself. If you'll allow me, though, Jilly--" He twirls her and moves through the pattern before returning to her side again--"it suits you."

[tehoniongirl]

She laughed. "It's all too formal for me, really. I'd end up messing something up." She could only stay within structures and rules for so long. "But it makes for a beautiful night."