Characters: Crew of the 4423 and the Victoria II and anyone specifically invited (or if you want to try to sneak it, but there will be CONSEQUENCES if you are caught)
Content: A ball and banquet to celebrate 'a new age of peace.'
Setting: The banquet hall of Unseen University
Time: 5:00 pm starts. Scheduled to last for a few hours.
Warnings: Two
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The young girl had come in a very simplistic black dress. It was shoulderless, only having some straps that tied up behind her neck; it went down to a little below her knees and ended in a simply designed lace hem. Her hair, thanks to Rikku's good hands was looking clean and silky. Part of it was piled on her head in a braided bun and the rest was left to fall down to her waist.
The mechanic couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. It had been ages since she had worn a dress, even a skirt. Not that she had anything against dresses or skirts but she just preferred to dress comfortably and practically and this definitely wouldn't fall under either of those.
She was milling, walking around, appreciating the decoration but at the same time trying to make note of anything that seemed out of place and memorizing the scene for security's sake. Just in case things went bad...if they did she'd have to depend on her mind and quick feet. Weapons of course had been confiscated but she had a trump up her sleeve (well, more like in her bra) just in case. Thanks to Jet and Ikki testing out what she had drummed up when she set up shop a couple days ago she had all the kinks worked out. Hopefully it wouldn't come down to that.
She really wished for these conferences to pull through.
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It was then that she caught sight of Winry and, waving away another round of booze hounds coming to ask her for a drink, walked over to her.
"Winry," she stated, her usual form of greeting. She then looked out over the hall, not saying anything for a moment. Ugh, seeing her crew amongst these Ivonian bastards... Though it did seem that people were mostly mingling amongst their ships for the moment. She guessed if she wanted information later she would have to mingle, even if the very prospect made her want to hurl.
"Anything unusual yet?" she asked quietly, peering around once more. Things seemed normal enough so far, but Isako didn't trust this event either.
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Well seemed like those two would soon find out she had lied about which ship she belonged to. Hopefully they would understand why; she hadn't known of their character when first introduced and had wanted to avoid conflict. Honestly if Rikku hadn't been there, or if Winry hadn't trusted the girl's opinion Winry might have left them altogether when finding out the two were of the Victoria's crew. In the end, she was glad she hadn't.
Strangely enough, perhaps it was simply due to the passage of time and seeing more familiar faces, Winry was becoming slightly less tense. She was still alert but the hope that nothing would break out between the two crews was a little stronger. Maybe it had a little to do with seeing Kiros too, and being reminded of their recent discussion about peace. If there were more people like him, Ffamran, Edward and Danny on the Victoria this thing could very well turn out okay.
Her head turned to Isako when hailed. Winry wasn't all that surprised at her Captain's attire, it was hard to picture the younger girl in a dress (it was a weird, but admittedly highly amusing thought).
"Nothing, but it's still very early." Her eyes were fixed on one of the tables with food, but that was just in case there were any onlookers. "I've been looking a little at von Karma though...he seems to be very avoidant right now and doesn't look pleased. I'm not sure whether to take that as a good sign that he just wants this to be over with as much as we do, or what." For the most part the other Victoria members seemed to be interacting with at least their own.
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"From what I've heard that's probably a pretty normal expression for him. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if he's as angry about all of this as I am." She turned her gaze away, not wanting to be caught staring. The last thing she wanted was anything that could spark a premature conversation.
She had to wonder if she was as easy to pick out as von Karma. She sincerely hoped not, though the rumor of the 'little girl captain' was fairly widespread by now. She quite hated to be remembered primarily for her age, but some things couldn't be helped. She just had to prove that her strength was genuine and that she was worth remembering for that and not her age.
She cast a glance over her own crew. "Keep an eye out. If there's trouble, I want my crew out of here fast." She frowned. She really didn't trust Ivona not to pull any tricks.
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"Captain - a word with you? I've some concerns about the ball that I wanted to talk to you about."
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He spoke in a low voice, just loud enough for Isako and Winry to hear. "I'll be blunt, Captain - of the guests here, with the exception of Admiral von Karma and his first mate, you and Miss Winry are the most likely targets for a possible attack. I - and several others here, no doubt yourselves included - are keeping an eye out while in the main room, so it is less likely that you will be in danger here, but should you need to leave the room...well, I would ask that you both consider not traveling alone.
"Otherwise - I have been speaking to some members of the Victoria II's crew; I believe that should something happen, at least some of them will be willing to work with us to deal with it rather than...add to our troubles."
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A strange thought occurred to her--when it came to their tempers the two Captains didn't really seem to be all that different. Isako, too, was typically scowling or frowning about something and now was no exception. In fact, as Winry looked around, that seemed to be the typical expression of everyone. For a moment that made her frown as well but she quickly restored the polite smile to her face. Jeez you could cut the animosity in here with a knife. It wasn't something she was surprised at, but it was still troubling and tiresome.
"Of course," she nodded at the order, "I'm certain it's been stressed enough that something could happen; so I'm confident they'll be ready to leave at any notice.
At that moment Brook approached them and Winry remained quiet though his and Isako's small exchange, and his concerns. It was a strange sort of feeling to acknowledge the facts he had laid out. It was quite reasonable to believe that the people of higher positions would be targeted more readily, but Winry hadn't really been thinking much on that; just the fact that something might start up altogether.
Huh. How about that. She was glad that Brook had pointed it out, though.
"You are most likely right. I do doubt that either of us will have much need to leave this room, though." Well. Unless they needed to use the bathroom, Winry reluctantly thought, but really, that could be held in.
She was surprised, but very pleased to hear his latter words and she nodded in agreement "I know of a couple as well--or perhaps they are the same who would do their best to prevent things from breaking out. Three, though I'm not sure if this third party is here." she murmured, her eyes briefly scanning th e area for Edward. He wasn't really into these types of things, but he might have come knowing she'd be there.
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Isako nodded. This was something she had considered, though it didn't worry her overly much. It wasn't as if this would be the first time someone had attempted to take her life. It came with the title, in some respects.
"I will remain in the open," she replied curtly, crossing her arms in annoyance. She needed to keep an eye on her crew as well, and staying here was the best way to do that. Hopefully they would be wise to stay in well populated areas as well. They may not be main targets, but they could still be in danger. Hopefully things wouldn't come to that.
She grit her teeth as both Brook and her first mate began to talk about their relations with the Victoria II's crew. She didn't care if they wanted to help because she didn't want it!
"Anything else?" She was done with this conversation already.
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Though...the look on her face when he mentioned the willingness of some of the Victoria II's members to help, like she'd just taken a bite of a lemon, was something of note. Was there a grudge there beyond the events of the battle? Perhaps something about her personality? In any event, it was something to explore.
He shook his head at his captain's question. "Regarding this event? No, I'll leave you in peace." Brook glanced at the bar, though. "Unless you'd like me to...quietly suggest to some of our more bar-happy comrades that it might be best to have a clear head tonight. I doubt we want to be dragging half a dozen passed-out people through the streets after...whatever it is happens."
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"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try but I do not think it would do much..."
All in all, Winry felt they were as ready as they could ever be with the given situation. She was glad Brook was keeping a good ear out though, the more, the better.
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"Do as you like," Isako said dismissively, "But it's true enough; they likely won't listen even if it's on captain's orders. Whatever. I'll leave them behind if I have to."
Although... even Isako had reservations about that. The thought of actually leaving her crew to the slaughter put a strange feeling in her stomach. Damn, she needed a drink now.
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"Thank you for your time, Captain, First Mate. While I understand your displeasure at the situation, hopefully things will turn out to not be a complete waste of everyone's time and patience."
He doffed his hat again, and prepared to search out another guest to chat with.
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What a peculiar choice for a Meliorian. He came up to her, a little into the evening, glass of juice in hand.
"Fancy meeting you here, Ms. Rockbell. I would have thought you would be too busy with your various freelancing to also join up on a pirate ship--" He just sounded amused, not angry. He'd thought there was something a little odd with her story and he had to wonder if Rikku had known when the four of them first met.
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Winry lowered the fan she had gotten from Heihachi sometime during the festivities from her face, and offered Ffamran a slightly sheepish smile. Though she knew it was going to be happen at some point it was still rather embarrassing to have been caught in the lie.
Thankfully he didn't seem angry--or at least if he did, he was doing an exceptional job of hiding it.
"Fancy, indeed, Sir Bunansa." she replied in a slightly teasing tone. Well if he could make light of the situation, than she would happily do similarly, "I suppose the call of the sky was just a little too much for me to resist."
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"The sky is irresistible in its way. I hardly would have taken it badly though." He tugged his vest slightly, he'd put on a little muscle in the shoulders since the last time he'd worn this get up. It still fit him well but he wished he could have found a proper tailor for it. It was more his father's style than his, really.
"Well, I suppose I'm more than happy to give peace a chance if the other side of the negotiating table is so gorgeous."
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