Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

[hiken]

Who: Anyone going to the Corsair Island Masquerade Ball!
Where: ...IDK?
When: April 26th - 27th (Early AM)
What: The Masquerade Ball + Ambush (12am)
Warnings: D for dancing, V for violence, A for Ace, L for Luffy
Style: Action or prose.
Status: Open to anyone attending!

There are going to be two main threads. One for the ball itself and the other for the Ambush! There will be an obligatory third thread for FASHION. Just remember to tag your muse in the subject header and OTA or 'Closed to ???' as you comment.

Comments

[booyaka_boom]

Ace's popping up like that caused Selphie to jump in surprise, but she followed it with laughter. "Uh huh, you bet I am! I just wonder who that could be..." And she tilted her head, giving a pointed look and a smile.

[hiken]

"Oh, just any other gentleman at this party," Ace snickered, flourished one hand and then bowed properly for Selphie. At the start of any dance, he was supposed to bow and if Selphie accepted, she would curtsy. Knowing the manners and steps to everything helped him blend in, but anyone who was suspicious, it was an added surprise that he could do as much.

[booyaka_boom]

Selphie laughed at that, but then she seemed a little caught off guard by his very gentlemanly display. She looked rather astonished for a moment, but soon fell into being the lady. At least she'd learned that much at the Garden. She curstied deeply, bowing her head in that bashful manner she'd been told was supposed to be polite and pretty. Though, actually, she was also doing her best not to giggle.

[hiken]

Rising quickly, Ace set his arm around Selphie in one deliberate gesture and began to lead her out into the center of the dance hall. A few people might have been shoved away, but it had been for a good cause.

"So, you've done this before!"

He said, immediately sinking into a slow step with Selphie.

[booyaka_boom]

Selphie laughed at that and threw him a happy wink, "Uh huh! And so have you, it seems!" That was maybe even an understatement. Marco had said he was good, but it seemed that he was very good indeed. "Been dancing with lots of beautiful ladies tonight?"

[hiken]

Realizing he was smart enough to avoid making a fool of himself in most circumstances, Ace knew a loaded question when he heard one. This was a circumstance in which he could definitely manage to avoid sounding like a complete tool, but it was still a dangerous one.

"Oh, it's been entertaining work. I could spy on you, if you want, but I think that would be cheating, wouldn't it?"

It was still a terrible answer, but in a different way.

[booyaka_boom]

Selphie blinked at his answer then burst into giggles, giving a little playful shove of her shoulder as they continued to dance. "Ace, I have no idea what you are talking about. But I'm glad the ladies have been entertained this evening."

[hiken]

"For now," He breathed a sigh, rolling his eyes half-heartedly and smiling with sedation creeping onto his lips. Ace appreciated Selphie's sort of genuine feeling for the atmosphere, but he himself had been dishonest a better portion of the night. He wouldn't hesitate to give his name if asked, but he simply wasn't asked. The fact that he was about to crush the ball itself was making the act of enjoying the little things difficult.

"Until I have to get heavy-handed with them, you'll have fun, right?"

[booyaka_boom]

Selphie gave him a small squeeze as they danced, her way of giving some kind of hug of reassurance without obviously breaking up what they were doing. She had to appear to the other couples like she was enjoying herself, after all. "I'm having plenty fun. But you should try and enjoy it too, you know. Relax a little until things get...busier."

[hiken]

"I'm relaxed," His reply came easily, so easily in fact that it could have seemed unnerving. Ace, who rushed into things brashly and attacked before he spoke, was actually taking care to be subtle and quiet. A live grenade exploding was less fearsome than a tampered with round of artillery sitting peacefully with the rest.

"I can wait until midnight--no worries, Selphie."

[booyaka_boom]

Selphie narrowed her eyes behind her mask, as though she was either scrutinising him, or challenging him. Maybe she wasn't sure just how really relaxed Ace could actually be. She was pretty sure it usually involved a lot of drink, or a lot of pancakes. "Alright. Just have a whole load of fun until then. Between you and Logan, you could make the entire room fall in love." They were both being exceptionally good at the whole prince charming thing after all.

[hiken]

"Don't worry about that," Ace's snicker turned devious, but all in all, he wasn't wearing any malicious intents through it. He moved to dip Selphie and grip her shoulder a bit tightly.

"My love is with my crew. No one else is getting any of it."

[booyaka_boom]

No, Ace. Don't laugh like that. And don't look at her like that. At the dip, Selphie blinked at him with wide eyes. Seriously, Ace, don't do that. When she stood again, she seemed a little flustered. "...right."

[hiken]

One brow shot up. Wondering why on Earth Selphie seemed to lose her grace for the moment, Ace lifted her and slowly shifted back into a slow step with her.

"You alright?"

[booyaka_boom]

There was a quick moment of throat clearing before Selphie found her rhythm again, but she managed it without too much of a fuss, and without too much blushing. "All good here! Are you alright?"

[hiken]

"Jeez, what's wrong?" Ace maintained his smile, but he was a little concerned that he might have dipped her a little too quickly. Rookie mistake, really. If the blood rushed to and from her head too quickly, fainting wouldn't have been too surprising.

"Did I dip too quickly?"

[booyaka_boom]

It was okay, she seemed to have composed herself, finally. She smiled back at Ace reassuringly, shaking her head, if only ever so slightly. "No, no. Don't worry. You dipped just fine." She giggled now, in case he needed any further proof that she was okay.

[hiken]

"Alright," he replied easily enough, returning to a bit of a slow pace for Selphie. He was concerned pretty visibly if only because he knew he could be too pushy when he was in a fair mood, but even worse when he was thinking about starting a fight.

"Just let me know. Wouldn't be right if I ruined your night."

[booyaka_boom]

She laughed and gave him a bit of a squeeze, holding herself closer as they danced. "Honestly, it's okay. I was just dazzled by your charm for a moment, that's all!" Which sounded like it might just be a joke, but was in some way true. "So don't worry, you're not in danger of ruining anything."