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

[alwaysgrumpy]

"If it makes you feel better, I'll speak a bit softer."

He shifted his position, switching to her opposite side and sitting down. After he ordered some snacks, he made a show of looking like he was just enjoying the food, while speaking under his breath near her.

"Better? Is this more covert?"

[myfayevalentine]

Faye laughed as he came and sat next to her, then took one of her nearby glasses of champagne. She sipped at it slowly, tipping her head towards a group of rather upset-looking men nearby. "Did you know I declined to sit with those men several times, and you've just come and taken their prime spot?"

[alwaysgrumpy]

"If they have a problem, they can come talk to me about it. If a guy isn't willing to fight for his territory, it ain't really his spot."

[myfayevalentine]

"Fight for your territory, hmm?" Faye grinned as she quoted him, shrugging as she took another sip. "Guess for now it's your spot, unless someone comes to challenge you."

[alwaysgrumpy]

"Look at these goofs," he muttered, turning on his seat to look out over the dance floor, "People shouldn't dance drunk. It doesn't seem to help with coordination."

[myfayevalentine]

Faye leaned closer to Akira as she looked past him and onto the dancefloor, "No, they shouldn't. It's not classy. What about you? You wanna go up there and show them how it's done instead?"

[alwaysgrumpy]

"Sorry, never much learned that sort of thing," he shrugged, "I'm not exactly a big socializer. Never much saw a need for it."

[myfayevalentine]

Faye just blinked at Akira, face deadpan, voice heavy with sarcasm - it was the socialiser part that got her. "You don't say."

[alwaysgrumpy]

"What about you? I'm sure you've picked up a few things."

[myfayevalentine]

"I'm an excellent dancer, if you must know. It's a very important skill to have." Close proximity to the right gentleman could be nice, but to someone she wasn't sure of it meant an easier means of pick pocketing.

[alwaysgrumpy]

"I can imagine a lot of guys tend to lose their composure when a girl slowdances with 'em, right?"

[myfayevalentine]

"You imagine?" Faye smirked at that and put down her glass, "You mean you don't know? Haven't you slowdanced with a girl before?"

[alwaysgrumpy]

Have the flattest stare ever, Faye.

"Faye. From the conversations we've had thus far, what would ever make you think that I'd done that?"

[myfayevalentine]

"Usually even the biggest loners have been dragged onto the dancefloor." In so saying, Faye linked up his arm in hers and stood up, attempting to pull him up with her.

[alwaysgrumpy]

He jerked to a stop when she grabbed him, his whole body stiffening up in response. His normally calm demeanor shatered, eyes going wide as his free arm grabbed the bar top.

"Wh-what the hell are you doin'?"

[myfayevalentine]

"Trying to give you an education, if you wouldn't be so stubborn." It was difficult to drag himaway when he was standing so still like that. "Turns out wolf boys are heavy."

[alwaysgrumpy]

"My body is fairly dense. Part of what makes me durable, you know? It's hard to have super-strength if your bones and muscles aren't tough enough to handle that much force."

Eventually he relents, letting off a sigh as she gets him off the chair.

"Alright, I'm up. ALRIGHT. Stop tuggin' on my arm."

[myfayevalentine]

"Then you should be using that super-strength body for some dancing, shouldn't you?" Faye grinned when finally he stood, because she's mostly just pleased she is getting her own way. Then, out on the dancefloor, they she pulled them among the other slow dancing couples. "Just don't stand on my feet and you'll be doing alright." Next, Faye stood closely in front of him and lifted his arms to wrap them around her waist, then put her own arms around his neck. "See? It's not so hard."

[alwaysgrumpy]

"I'm pretty diminished right now, admittedly. Plus, I figured you'd keep needlin' me until I gave in."

As they settled into a pace, he was still somewhat awkward with the arm placement. His arms seemed to hover right over the fabric, not really making contact with her. He turned his eyes skyward.

"Y-yeah, whatever."

[myfayevalentine]

"Those are your excuses for wanting to dance with me?" She smirked and shook her head, but only slightly, not wanting to ruin her hair style. Faye slowly moved her hips in time to the music as they danced, and tilted her head as though trying to catch his eye. "Are you scared of me or something?" To rectify the lack of contact, she laced her arms tighter around his neck, pulling herself much closer to him.

[alwaysgrumpy]

"I'm not afraid of anything," he huffed, "It's just weird, that's all. We're just movin' back and forth, why do people enjoy this?"

She might be able to notice a small blush on his cheeks, by this point. Much as he tries to control it.

[myfayevalentine]

"You're not? Then why aren't you holding me properly." Faye nodded towards some rather dapper-looking gentlemen to his right, "Would you rather be dancing with them instead? Believe it or not, people actually enjoy being this close me, you know." She pouted a little, as though she was upset by his reluctance to enjoy himself, but she has notices that small blush.

[alwaysgrumpy]

There's a few grumbles from him as he lets his arms fall, getting a more firm grip on her.

"There? See? Easy stuff."

[myfayevalentine]

Faye chuckled and nodded at his comment, "I told you it was. If I was your dream girl, you'd be having the time of your life right now."

[alwaysgrumpy]

"Trust me, my 'dream girl' is better off without me. I wrecked her life enough, as it is."