F01-OP Blackbook, Grand Opening

[Telrenya 0]

‘Castor.’ His words were few, but his smile was sweet. Telrenya followed that lead. Fumbling over her tongue while she fished for the correct way to present herself was only going to drown the mood that seemed to rest in the air so effortlessly. Like a thick fog surrounding them, she had little choice but to breathe in.

Their hands met and the music infected them. Slowly, for her. Her movements were unpracticed. Feet not unsteady, simply unconfident as they shifted her to and fro in time with the heavy beat. Her partner, on the other hand, carried himself seemingly effortlessly. She was silently grateful to be able to follow his lead.

The longer their bodies fell in time to the pulsing rhythm, the more natural the motions felt. Estelle may have never set foot in a nightclub, but Telrenya was a graceful fighter, light on her feet and quick to adapt. The lines began to blur. The fingers that curled around her inhibitions began to slip. Much like her partner, something like instinct took over in a way that might have surprised her if her mind would have spared a shred of self-scrutiny. There was no room for it left.

Lysette’s tantalizing voice danced across the chorus just as Castor pulled her into a spin. Her arm extended briefly in flourish, then the momentum pulled them back together.

”You’re very good at this.” She praised, letting out a genuine chuckle that dispersed any bit of nerves that may have remained. ”I don’t suppose you do this sort of thing often?” She asked, her lips settling into a playful smile. Not that she knew of any other masquerade ball venues in Aincrad, but the sentiment for the general party-goer was there regardless.

@Morningstar

[Jevi 0]

A short glass, heavy with the scent of alcohol found her before any company did, but was she truly expecting someone to just fall into her lap? Just like the crab boil, the airship, every other gathering she stepped out of her comfort zone to attend.. hoping she could find someone to interact with. A friend, a potential lover.. hell, just someone to help keep her on her feet and not lock herself in her shop  in her home again for days on end until she decided to try again. Rinse and repeat.

The rum burned as it trickled down her throat. She continued to turn the glass upwards until the ice collided with her lips, and, just as soon as she had gotten her drink, her cup ran empty once more. 

Looks like she needed a new one, a change of scenery sounded nice too. She was getting tired of watching people trying to slow dance to an vivacious, dark-pop melody. Leaving her empty glass for a sever to retrieve, Jevi rounded the dance floor. Knees peeked from the slits in her pants with each, slow step. Still eyeing the couples who were currently engaged with one another, despite her disdain.. was it possibly jealously? Not that she would admit it out loud.

Slowing to a halt before reaching her destination, she caught a glimpse of a familiar mess of green hair (@Hirru). Though with the mask adorning his face - and player-chosen name inconveniently hidden from her gaze - she could not be certain if it was her friend. Besides, he held another woman in his arms at the moment (@Vanta), it would be rude for her to interrupt such an intimate moment. Hurried steps carried her the rest of the way to the bar. Less people watching, more drinking. That sounded like a good plan. 

The watering-hole seemed much less occupied, many allowing the liquid courage to carry them onto the dance floor, or into amatory conversation with another. One individual remained at the bar, not engaging with any others. Fiery orange from the top of her ginger head to her high heels. Jevi was no good at reading others, so she could not tell if the woman preferred to be alone, or if they were sitting in the same boat; out at sea with not a single fish biting. 

"Mind if I join you?" She asked, standing in a space close enough to the woman to engage in conversation, but far enough away so she would not have to retreat if she turned down her offer for company. "Another Dark and Stormy. Extra stormy." she would address the bartender over her shoulder. "Are you waiting for someone? Or is your date at the bottom of a bottle too?" she would ask with a small smirk. "I'm not too.. great at these things. But trying to get out there more, meet more people, ya'know?"

"Sorry." the woman apologized as she took a sip of her newly acquired drink and sat it down on the counter, before reaching a hand out in greeting. 

This was a masquerade.. she wanted to make new friends but.. should she stick with the theme? Keep the mystique? Maybe a little of both. A nickname? Her name was already short enough.. what was it that Adelyte called her?

"Name's V."

@Mari

Edited 54 minutes ago by Jevi