The Party - Part 1 - The Young Woman

[nohalation]

It is the evening of Day 2. Thanks to Clima's actions, you are in attendance of Cinderella's ball after all.

Perfume wafts through the French baroque ballroom from rich folk who dance and sip on champagne. Several colossal chandeliers hang overhead from a ceiling that's been painted to look like the sky. Band music can be heard faintly in the far back of the ballroom.

It was just moments ago that entrance guards ACTUALLY provided you outfits appropriate for a ball, couresy of Cinderella who said this was "to prevent guests from fainting at the sight of mere peasants."

Everyone is dressed in flattering outfits that not only fit you perfectly, by some magic means, but also draw the attention from the other guests. You're receiving smiles left and right here.

However, it's Slot and Walnut who gather the most attention, with wealthy whoevers sidling up to them to ask very sudden questions.

"Where are you from? Are you single? Want to meet my son?"

Meanwhile, Cinderella stands out from everyone else—with a literal body of flame, like the elegant fire elemental she is, and a gown that matches her glass slippers, she won't be escaping anyone's sights tonight.

After tapping a pattern of quiet "clinks" on the marble floor with her heels, Cinderella's butler speaks up on her behalf.

"My lady says, 'Though we are within public sight, everyone is distracted by their own personal affairs. Please convey your wishes.'"

It should be noted that Early is lingering nearby! He is just remaining very quiet, like a little wallflower, in a fitted suit all his own. His glasses are steamed though... this is frazzling, after all.

And Bottle. He's wearing a suit, quite the dapper one that he already owned, and is helping himself to a gold-crusted treat at the buffet.

Slot grins easily at the attention he's getting. His tail is wagging quite noticeably and he's quick to flirt back with anyone who deigns to flirt with him, but when asked if single, he just sighs dramatically, "No, I am, in fact, quite taken," before he throws an obvious look in Bottle's direction.

Clima doesn't particularly pay attention to those who give him any attention - primarily, he's following behind Dusk and watching her. He love. She's soooooo cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute everyone who flirts with her can die.

DUSK MOVES RIGHT TOWARDS EARLY after chatting politely and excitedly.

Early coughs a littlle, emitting a small amount of smoke, when you approach him, Dusk. He looks off to the side, blushing to his ears. "I-is there something wrong...?"

"I have something to tell you, Early! From some lady with an eyepatch!"

Early stares at you blankly, Dusk. I mean, you can't see his eyes past his fogged lenses, but he's staring very blankly. "I'm sorry, Dusk, what are you talking about?" There's a small tremble in his voice, hm.

'Just tell him that Victory's glad for him. That's it. Nothing else, don't pretty it up, just tell him I'm glad for him.'Dusk just words out, waving her hands. 'OH COME ON, you'd be saying the same if you saw that kid coming in every night looking like he just slept with the dead! When I learned who he was, I had to watch over him. And I only cheated that one time, to make sure he didn't fuck himself over. Geez, nobody's allowed to be a decent person without being judged, huh!'

Dusk's making all of the motions along with it. "Later is a very clever code name, too."

Clima's quietly listening, but isn't his Dusk the cutest KY. Sasuga Dusk.

As she's drinking, Walnut's head just like, whips around in Dusk's direction, did she just say fuck,

Early sinks to the ground like a melted gummy bear. "D-D-Dusk! Dusk, watch that language! I... I don't know where to begin addressing this, I don't know what to say!"

"I don't either! I was just told to deliver it to you. She seemed to like you though."

Early is very much laying on the floor. The marble floor reflects his twisted brows. "Ah... ah, so you really did talk to her... that lady, she's like a grandma..."

He pushes himself up to look at you properly. His smile is humble and shy. "Thank you, Dusk. I appreciate that you delivered that rude lady's message..." As he looks up at her, he looks as though he's hit with a realization. Something that, maybe, he's never caught before? "And... might I say, you look stunning in that dress. It suits you."

Early is too dumb to notice Clima, of course.

Clima: 😶

Cinderella nods. You said a smart thing, Slot.

That's why Cinderella raises her foot—then smashes it to the ground with a loud crash, creating a deep crack that leads all the way... to Dusk and Early. The guests gasp, then go on minding their own business as if Cinderella's attitude isn't unusual.

"Ooh, thanks!" Dusk twirls around, look at these dresses, her hair graciously spins with her like a pantene pro-v commercial. "Isn't it nice? We don't make a lot of money in Halation so these feel extra fancy, but they're great for becoming idols~"

And then she looks up to see Cinderella approaching after the loud crash happens. "Oh no! Someone dropped something, oops!"

Slot keeps the grin on his face, but he's just as quick to slide back and towards Dusk and Early's general vicinity, just in case some sweet ninja summoning skillz need to be put to use.

The butler runs over, standing between Dusk and Early, and Cinderella and Slot. Early is a little... out of breath. He's still sitting on the ground, staring at Cinderella with a pale face.

And don't worry, Walnut and Clima—you're not ignored either. You can practically... quite literally... feel the heat of Cindrella's gaze on each of you.

"My lady says!" He takes a deep breath, he's out of breath already, too? "My lady says she wants some answers! If you want something, ask now!"
Dusk the Best12/09/2017
Dusk isn't afraid of anything obviously, she's just smiling! I bet she still has a cut on her face too. "Oh, hello~! I wanted to meet you, but your door was locked! Nice to meetcha!"
GM12/09/2017
"Because guests need an appointment," the butler answers quickly. Upon feeling the heat of Cinderella's gaze on the back of his neck, he clears his throat and mumbles a small apology for speaking out of turn.

Cinderella taps her heel on the ground. The butler translates.

"My lady is tired already, so if you want to speak with her it will have to wait until after she's enjoyed herself."
Dusk the Best12/09/2017
"Does she want to dance?"
GM12/09/2017
Cinderella stares. Her face is nearly expressionless, save for the coals of her eyes, but you get the feeling she's nearly insulted.

She coldly turns and walks away. The butler starts, then bows humbly, offering the invitation to find them later this evening. For now, entertain yourselves, he says! Speak to some of the other nobles and garner some favor, perhaps? And with that he skedaddles, breaking through a crowd while calling for Cinderella like a lost child.





You get a strange feeling.
Slut the Rumored12/09/2017
Well, time to go back to finding a handsome fella to dance with and maybe garner some favor for Halation. He'd be elated if that happens eyyyy
Dusk the Best12/09/2017
"Maybe she doesn't like dancing . . . ?" Dusk wonders to herself, recognizing that feeling but decided to let it pass. Unless anyone else stops her, she's gonna go mingle jingle.
GM12/09/2017