there's a man in the back, as a matter of fact [OPEN]

[tidesnpc]

Characters: Anyone on the Amestris.
Content: It's a banquet for the crew of the Amestris! There shall be food! Music! And very possibly drama.
Where: The Amestris ballroom.
Time: Early evening.
Warnings: It's... It's the Amestris. Who knows what will happen?

Comments

[peoplenpudding]

Millie was delighted. The ballroom looked amazing (and the food tasted as good as it looked). Meggie was safely in her sling on Millie's back, waving at all the people. She'd gotten a new red ribbon for the occasion, and so far hadn't untied it. Meanwhile, Millie herself was wearing a new suit that had been designed to imitate a dress in how it hugged her body. It looked nice, in her opinion. Now, all she needed was to find someone to dance with.

[barrelobuling]

Bu-ling, in a poofy little yellow dress with frills all around it, leapt into the hall right on her heels. An-nin followed, wearing a monkey-sized top hat.

"This is the coolest party ever nano da! Are all rich-people parties like this?"

[peoplenpudding]

"I don't know," Millie replied. Meg started waving at An-nin and chattering. "This is my first ball! It's very nice, though, isn't it?"

[barrelobuling]

"Yup!" Bu-ling yanked a slice of watermelon out of a fruit display and took a large bite out of it. "The food is reallly good too no da! Hey, Millie-oneechan, who are all these people?" The monkey chattered right back at the Togepi, clapping its hands.

[mayovice]

As always, Hijikata was never one for parties, but it wasn't as if he had anywhere else to be at the moment. Everyone was at this banquet now, and as much as he would rather be not here and be somewhere else instead smoking it up and doing his own things, the samurai had to admit it would be bad form to be not present here - after all, he was one of the ship. And it wasn't as if he didn't have a reason to be not here.

Which was why he was here now, a glass of something that wasn't alcoholic in his hand as he leaned against the wall. Despite the event his two swords still hung from his side - it paid to be careful, after all; it had already been nearly two years, sure, but the events of that time all the way back at Kropmork still left a heavy impression on his mind. At least it didn't seem that anything like that would happen anytime soon... but it still paid to be careful, regardless. Who knows what might happen now during these times. So many things had happened since then, Hijikata couldn't find himself that surprised anymore

[barrelobuling]

"Oniichan!"

A small, yellow-haired girl climbed onto one of the wall decorations beside him, followed by a monkey in a top hat. She waved, hanging off of it, while eating a scone.

"What're you doing?"

[mayovice]

The man barely flinched when the girl appeared at his side - she had been noisy enough from the beginning, and he had hoped that if he had pretended not to notice, she would have ignored him eventually. Unfortunately, it seemed that that possibility wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

He recognized that voice rather quickly too - after all, it was kind of hard to not remember such a young, childish voice.

"It's Hijikata," the boatswain responded automatically, wishing now that he could whip out his cigarettes; though he had the sinking feeling it would be a bad idea if he did. Best to just play safe - and if worse came to worse, he could just go outside for a break before coming back in.

[barrelobuling]

"Hijikata-oniichan," Bu-ling corrected, taking another bite out of her pastry. "Bu-ling asked what you were doing, Hijikata-oniichan. Standing around looks boring."

[bloodychainsaw]

Nobody knows how much Grell has been waiting for this! Oh, banquets are so splendid, indeed. And there is one thing that the crew of the new ship he works for must know: He can get away with wearing a dress.

He waltzed right into the ballroom, being confident and like there is no problem with him in such feminine clothes. Surely, Grell does own suits and such, but he couldn't resist plus William isn't here to watch on him like a officer watching a prisoner. A black ball gown, adorn with barely noticeable red lace on the edges. Nails painted red and fingerless, black lace gloves. And that long red mane of his remained down, but brushed many times and with a feather hair clip. To those that doesn't know him, they would see this "woman" and treat "her" like one.

Just a simple walk about will do for now, have a snack, chat with the crew. Just a time for him to enjoy himself.

[bluepoppyfields]

It was really the hair which caught her attention. How utterly gorgeous it was. Impossibly long, brilliantly shaded, and completely impeccable. Wow. Clarice touched her own dark locks in envy. But it was mainly admiration, and she decided she must know this person. Within several steps, she was at the perfect vicinity to introduce herself. "Hello."

[bloodychainsaw]

"Hello~" He nodded at the new woman that he hasn't met yet. One of his gloved hands pushed his hair back, letting it just fling back and float for only just a second. This hair takes a lot of work, but it's worth it.

[bluepoppyfields]

Her eyes do follow the hair briefly. "You've likely heard this a thousand times, but you have the most amazing hair." Sometimes she could be so girly. "Ah, so rude of me. I forgot to give you my name. Dr. Clarice Willow."

[did_yousee]

Kaere's outfit was... well, it looked nice. Probably a bit too low-cut, or a lot. She smirked confidently and walked through the roon, wondering who all was looking at her.

If they stared too much, of course, she'd raid their towns.

[handsomest]

Ah~! Such a beautiful lady suddenly graced the banquet. And it was odd, really. Tamaki had never seen such a dress before! What kind of haute couture was this?

Like a rabbit hopping out of curiosity, Tamaki moved closer to the girl. She was quite a sight. And strangely, Tamaki knew of no courtesies to deal with this one. Beyond staring from a distance behind a post.

[did_yousee]

The blonde turned her head to see someone gaping. Well, that wasn't new or anything, but...

"What are you doing?" She walked over to him, hands on her hips, and right into his personal space, staring him in the eyes.

[handsomest]

It sounded like a little squeak, or a shrill, or a little frail or a weeping cow... it really depends on how far or close you were to Tamaki. He was, so to say, a little intimidated by this lady but upon her question, his little fears started to disappear and he simply swirled and twisted to her side.

"I cannot help but admire your lovely dress from afar, milady," greeted so formally, nobly, and very politely of the young diplomat.

[starcharmsketch]

It was all a bit...overwhelming. This giant ball was very, very different than the Lunasa party Naminé had participated in the past year. That had been casual at best, but this...this was something that she only imagined would be for royalty, or officials of some important company. She had never prepared herself for something so formal.

Naminé was dressed in a lovely blue and white gown just for the occasion. She had bought it and a few other formal dresses in town when the ball had been announced because, she had reasoned, if there were going to be more parties like this, she may as well invest in the clothes for it. And the money she had earned selling her art back in Bydan had helped her pay for them. The pretty dress did nothing to hide her awkwardness, however, and she stood a little off to the side, nervously touching her blue rose headband as she watched the crowds and important people mill around in front of her.

You're a part of the Amestris now, she reminded herself. You have to start presenting yourself like an adult.

[wavesandthunder]

To someone as used to dealing with class after class of students, not to mention his horde of siblings, it was hard for Ukitake not to spot the lone girl who looked like she was trying to fade into the wall. As she gathered the courage to step out into the milling crowd of people, he changed his course through the ballroom to head in her direction. He was in military dress for the evening, long white hair pulled neatly back, but there was a warm smile on his face as he approached her. "Hello there!"

[starcharmsketch]

Naminé had not expected to be flagged down so early on her journey into the crowd. She paused in her walking to look up at the snow-haired man, quickly dipping into a curtsy even as she flushed from the realization of how it was so awkwardly executed.

"Ah-- hello. Good evening." The fact that he seemed to be a kindly person only did worse on her nerves, not wanting to seem rude in any way.

[wavesandthunder]

Ukitake returned the courtesy, giving the girl a low, formal bow. She still seemed nervous - well, he'd try to fix that. "Is this your first time at a party like this?"