(Untitled)

[kira_galliard]

{Early Evening- Tuesday, 29th June ~ Day 394}
{Crossroads DanceHall}

Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time
I feel alive
And the world turning inside out, yeah
And floating around in ecstasy, so
Don't stop me now
Don't stop me
'Cuz I'm having a good time, having a good time

It is finally time to open the doors

Comments

[jaeresteade]

It's not been an easy week or so. The whole town's talking, for one thing, about what happened at the cafe' with Glass and Iago, God rot them both. I heard five different versions of the story this weekend alone, one where Iago'd challenged me and I knocked him down. That telling I could do with being true. The rest of them not so much

[kira_galliard]

"Will you let me have this one, or can I get you a drink first?"
Well, I didn't expect anyone to ask me quite this soon. Give him a quick once-over. A little shaggy, maybe. But he looks eager enough, and probably nimble enough to not tromp on me. Just wouldn't do to have that happen so early in the evening.

I flash him a smile and extend my hand so he can lead me out, "Why delay when there's a perfectly lovely song starting now?"

[jaeresteade]

Nice girl, friendly and warm as she takes my hand. It's not the kind of song you stay at arm's length for, though, and soon enough I can pull her against me. Not a song slow enough for clinging to each other, either, which suits me. I let her spin out and twirl back into my arms, her dress flaring out around her long legs. Very nice girl.

"Do you work here?" I ask, when there's a lull. I think I saw her earlier when I was helping Verdi set things up.

[kira_galliard]

I do love a song that makes my skirt swirl out. My partner's pretty good, and he's certainly energetic. What else can a girl ask for?

"Do you work here?"
I laugh when he asks, "I suppose you could say that. I own the place. Been refurbishing over the Winter and Spring."

The song's ended, and while I don't mind chatting, I don't want to step out too much with the same gent in one night, "I saw you helping Verdi- you work at the bar?"

[docconstantine]

This was a great idea. The town may be growing and store are all well and good, but having something for the younger people to do?

It may just make my friday and saturday nights a little quieter. Oh there will still be brawls at the Whitechapel and The Tavern... but stupid kids jumping from haylofts and having cows tipped on to them? Yeah, this may cut down on those idiot calls.

Told Lannie I was going to drop in here, in hopes she'll decide to come by and join me. Mentioned the leather pants would be a good thing to wear... heh.

Wander in, and right now, the only person I truly know well enough to talk to is Jarmyn, and he looks like he's set his sights on a pretty blonde in a red dress. I sigh and roll my eyes, and head in the opposite direction. Maybe Molly is here somewhere. Or Jamie, or Iago or anyone else for that matter.

[glass_beddau]

Haven't been down the Tavern in a while, no surprise, and not bloody well after setting foot in the Whitechapel. So this, it's a chance to slip in and take a look, have a chance to stand back and watch folk, and I've been rather missing that of late.

Pick myself up a drink and stroll on away from the table, glancing 'round. Spot someone familiar crossing the room and thread my way over.

"Evening," I say mild. "How've you been?"

[docconstantine]

Am just sitting down and stretching my legs out when I see Glass making her way across the room.

"Been well enough." I reply, rising again and pulling out a chair for her. "You? Coming towards the end, I imagine." I say quietly, nodding towards her belly.

[glass_beddau]

"Been well enough," and take the seat he offers, smiling a little. Well enough, covers so much, but guess if you're in a state to say it there's good chance of it being true. "You? Coming towards the end, I imagine," and wrinkle my nose a bit; not particular cheered over that, I confess.

"Spoke to Iago," I say. "Could've gone better. But my hand's doing well," hold it up and curl it, and the fingers move smooth through their arc. Still can't feel the side of it aright, but think that may be getting better. "That aside... well. Nothing of particular note, aside from time slipping away." Take a sip of my drink; it's nice, something like fruit, although definitely not quite like the last punch I had.

[valmont_vicomte]

I must say I am not in a very celebratory mood. After my conversation with Zann and Lucien I of course went home and told Hermia about Micah's "friend"; she was as shocked as me. We talked for a long time about what to do, and resolved that I should try to speak to him. Unfortunately, the inn was so busy all weekend it was difficult to get Micah alone to speak to him. I did manage to ascertain he had no plans to see Danika, thank God, and I made sure he stayed close to home, finding him tasks to do all weekend. Tonight I've brought everyone out for this party - Alice is excited about it, which is cheering, and maybe I will be able to collar Micah for a man-to-man chat. I've been thinking about it over and over and I'm still not sure what to say.

[hermia_sophia]

Valmont wanted to be the one to talk to Micah, and I agreed - Valmont has always had a better rapport with the boy, now that Micah has come past that first painfully awkward crush. Not that Valmont knows what to say. Not that any of us know what to say. it makes me sick to think of that thing taking advantage of a boy like Micah! But that is what the thing in the Tower does - it preys on innocence. That's what it did to that girl Genny from the carnival, from what Zann said. It didn't hurt her, not beyond the hurt that comes to a young person who is deceived love, so I hope that it has not hurt Micah, either

[valmont_vicomte]

At least in all this I have my Hermia; I would keep her my rock, but I think she is rather my raft, keeping me afloat through all the strange times we've had in the past few months. I smile at her.

"I would be very glad to dance with you, darling; it's been a while since we danced together." It's a rustic sort of song that's playing, but luckily we're not expected to line dance, and I lead Hermia out onto the dance floor. "This will be a good place for the town," I say. "And maybe somewhere to burn off excess energies might mean fewer fights at the inn." I doubt that, but it's good to be optimistic.

[hermia_sophia]

"I would be very glad to dance with you, darling; it's been a while since we danced together."

"It has," I say softly, sliding my hand down to take hold of Valmont's as we step onto the dance floor.

"This will be a good place for the town," I say. "And maybe somewhere to burn off excess energies might mean fewer fights at the inn."

I give Valmont a little quirk of a smile for his dubious tone. "We can hope, at least," I murmur back.

The music is lively and bright, full of fiddles and stamping feet. But I slip my arms around Valmont as if it were a much slower dance, and hold him close for a moment. "It will be good for the town to have a place that's dedicated to being happy. Perhaps that will help prevent fights in its own way."

[silence_excolo]

Got called in with Will & a few others to help rig the lighting up & I gotta say, I'm glad for it. A little extra money besides, it's nice to see the inside of this place. Not that I'm much for dancing, but there's food & drink for us when we're finished. Plus the hostess seems nice, although there's a touch of... something to her Pattern. Like she's been touched by something powerful

[marbasthefallen]

"Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight."

It's an annoying habit I am sure I picked up from Wanda, but I find that once a song gets in my head, it's stuck. I am softly singing that under my breath as I wander into the dance hall. I've now taken to following Lucien, at a discrete distance of course. Thought I had my chance on Sunday in the park... but he got caught up with the mechanic girl and stayed at the fairgrounds all bloody day. At least I don't have to be quite so secretive here. It is a public function after all

[silence_excolo]

"They are usually better the day they are made." Turn my head to see a well-dressed man, blond, smiling at me over his drink. His smooth manner, his sharp smile, make me think of something predatory. But it's his eyes that draw me in, more than anything. There's fire there. I find I'm staring a little too long, I think, while he keeps talking. "Life is sweeter in the moment, and the future is often not as pleasing as one thinks it will be.""Said the grasshopper to the ant," I shrug, looking down at the remaining sandwich in my hand, "or maybe you've never had cole slaw." Realize after I've said it that he may not have, actually. Seems funny, somehow. "Or maybe I'm just not that hungry now." Take a quick bite & grab a cup of mead

[marbasthefallen]

"Said the grasshopper to the ant," Grin at the analogy, but shake my heand and chuckle at the coleslaw comment. "Or maybe I'm just not that hungry now."

She looks around as she quickly takes a bite of whatever's in her hand and a gulp of her drink. What a quixotic bundle, she is. From the Carnival, if Lucien's memories serve me correctly.

"Or maybe you're more ravenous than you're letting on, and the wait will make the food all the more delictable later." I muse idly, then grin. "But I do not suggest that with coleslaw. Never keeps long and it's hell to get out of one's pockets."

Extend a hand to her. "Arik Underwood. One of the school teachers. Pleased to meet you...?"

[tezcatl_ipoca]

I am watching Valmont dancing with Hermia, and there is a sad sort of ache in my chest. Everything in confusing. It has all been stirred up again by meeting Gaueko. I don't want to be what I once was, before I was pulled apart and cobbled back together: I want to be only what has grown since then, the Micah who Valmont knows. But then there is Iblis. For her sake I wouldn't want to forget again. Once it would have been easier to move through all this, I think. I almost-remember it, thinking clearly.

There's punch, at least. Perhaps it will have alcohol in it. it won't make it easier to think, but it may make the feelings better.

[sapphira_ststep]

Coming off the floor for a drink, downstage and downtime, slipping through the lines of motion that shape the guests and crowd. It's a lovely night, I think, well worth wearing something bright, and I would like to come here again.

There are several other people moving towards the drinks as well, but the saddest is a--boy or a man, really, here and in this time it rather depends on him--moving alone and towards the punch, and I offer him the glass I've just poured for myself. "Evening," I say, smiling. "Excuse me, but you don't know Leah, do you?"

[tezcatl_ipoca]

Someone in a mask hands me a drink, and I blink down at it for a moment, and then back up at them. "Evening." They are smiling. I can't tell if it's real. "Excuse me, but you don't know Leah, do you?"

I think about it. "I don't think so. I'm sorry." At least it's easier to remember to apologise for things now, to be polite. I take a sip of the punch, and yes, there's alcohol in it. Good. "Thank you," I add, remembering.

[sapphira_ststep]

"I don't think so. I'm sorry," and I nod. He doesn't really look like her, but I look at the two and... Well. "Thank you," he adds.

"Oh, you're welcome," I say, pouring myself a drink. "Pardon my asking, you just reminded me of her... Couldn't say why." I shake my head and smile. "What do you think of the hall? I'm Sapphira, by the way."