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

[fierybluebird]

Not many actually.

A few, but I've been letting everyone else do the hard work. [SO LAZY, THIS GUY.]

How about you?

[Also have a gentle nod about that cigarette light. Thanks bro!]

[hiken]

A few over thirty. [He hadn't really started dancing as much as he wanted to, but he'd get even more presences marked in his mind as he started to get attention. Some people would go along with the pirate and the rest would fight to hate him.]

At least three officers so far. Good looking women, too. Unfortunately, someone should tell them that noble-born men and women usually look like they've never worked a hard day in their lives.

[fierybluebird]

Depends on the country, eh. Fukaboshi and his brothers are soldiers. [Marco stuck his tongue out.] And Naesala too.

[He didn't say so, but Marco had stricter standards on his marks. He wanted to specifically know their ranks and identities so that when he made an example of them, they made a good example.]

[hiken]

Yeah, but they don't even try to act like nobles. [Well, he assumed Naesala didn't. Ace got a severe 'thug' vibe from that guy. Not a street thug like Ace--more like a business-man who also wore brass knuckles when he got out of work.]

Those, these navy folks could learn a bit more about dancing. Think they all practiced, too?

[fierybluebird]

True.

[Marco refrains from dropping his voice, but it's clear he's thinking over his choice of wording carefully.]

Not exactly. It would seem other crews needed to spend their time practicing for a different event.

[hiken]

Ahhh, Marco, you can be rude about it if you want. You can be meaner.

I won't tell 'em you think they're dumb or without grace or whatever mean thing you're thinking about 'em.

[fierybluebird]

I'd rather not, Sir.

[Mimicking Bogart to Garp, but Marco still can't help grinning about it.] Words can be as much a weapon as swords, Captain.

[hiken]

[Ace set his hand on Marco's shoulder.]

Just like the intent behind my fist, your words should only have the intent to defend our crew, Marco. So, if you're insulting, I know it's because you love us.

The only insults I worry about are the ones you aren't sayin', anyway.

[It was more so an inward jab at himself. Ace wasn't sure he'd thoroughly won over Marco yet--even then.]

[fierybluebird]

[There's a blink, and Marco's expression actually flickers for a bit.]

[He's not sure what Ace is thinking, what insults isn't he saying?]

[As he starts puzzling it out better he wants to ruffle Ace's hair, but he can't since he's playing the part of lieutenant to a captain.]

[He wants to grab Ace a drink or food, his natural birdie instinct to help the little idiots get bigger and stronger, but that's another thing he has to resist right now.]

[So he settles for lightly punching Ace in the shoulder.]

[At minimum, he still wants to word it right. A shield, not a sword.]

I've only had one other captain, and no matter how much I wish he were here to see this, it's only because I know he'd be just as proud of you as I am, Captain. [Salutes.]

If your men aren't honored to sail with you, it's only because they're still too green to know better, and I have faith you'll get them there.