high_seas | Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

Faye had danced round the hall a few times now, each with a different member of the Navy. One or two had seemed reasonably nice, though boring, while the other was just such an arrogant idiot. So Faye was done dancing for now. With a glass of champagne in hand, she wandered along the edge of dancefloor, greeting others with playful smiles. At this rate, she had spoken to the majority of the men at the ball. Though there was one trying to blend into the wall, it seemed, so Faye made a beeline for him and stood right next to him, "Enjoying your evening?"

I'll enjoy it more once it's over, formal parties are not my thing, madam.

[The voice rings a bell, but he can't pinpoint it at the moment and he has heard enough people today to not be sure if she's another pirate or just one of the women he has had to talk with before coming for a reprise. Just in case that it's the later and to keep appearances, he does his best to be civil and formal enough.]

I hope that the same can't be said about you, it would be a waste if a lady wasn't able to enjoy this.

Really? What a pity. And here was me thinking you were waiting for a dancing partner...

*She smirks softly, teasing because she does recognise his voice, so knows he's here for reasons other than dancing*

Don't worry about us. Put a pretty lady in a room full of lonely men and we're bound to find some kind of entertainment...

*Faye glances around the room then back to him - she still doesn't know who he is or who he's with*

Comr here with...others that you sail with?

[Even if he wasn't here for other reasons, dancing would be something he would only do due necessity. However, he says nothing, instead keeping an eye on her, by her words it doesn't seem like she's one of the women he has talked with already. Her question ends confirming it though Ikki doesn't even flinch at it and he answers naturally, even if the fake words still leave a bad taste in his mouth.]

Oh, but, of course, madam. Several members of the ship I'm assigned to have been invited as well, I heard that a couple of them are even getting a medal in honour of their performances in the recent battles. I'm not one of them, though, for better or worse.

What about you, madam? Is there a lucky man who got to enjoy your company when coming here?

*She listens to his little spiel, then turns towards him, throwing a look that is a Are You Serious? kind of look. Still, she plays along and pats his chest lightly*

Hmm, who knows, you might have a battle rather soon, and a cute medal to go with it too*

*She smirks at his final comments, and there's an expression on her face that suggests she's trying not to laugh*

Well... I did always think I wasn't old enough to be a 'madam'... But sadly, yes, I've arrived without a man. I haven't been without the company, though.

You think so? I can hardly wait though medals aren't something I actually long for.

[The only medals he needs are the number of enemies he has downed. And hopefully, by the end of the night, the knowledge that some of those assholes won't be able to have a peaceful dream ever again at the very least. A smile is painted on his lips at the thought, but he makes sure to pass it as just an answer to her words.]

I would have been shocked to hear otherwise, it's already a surprise that there's no one to properly escort you. But I suppose it's a vain worry, after all, there are nothing but rightful members of the Navy here.

[He has to pause as to not actually laugh at his own words.]

I apologize though, I didn't pretend to insult you with the way I addressed you. Would milady be better?

*Faye turns so that she is facing him, rather than standing beside him, and attempts to give him the flattest stare she can from behind her mask. A couple of men walk behind her so she gives a laugh and responds to what was just said, just to be sure that their conversation seemed normal*

Oh, you're a darling. And I'm surprised you don't have yourself a lady friend with you this evening!

*When the coast was clear, she pressed herself against him so that she could whisper, but to everyone else it might just look like flirting*

You realise that you're talking bullshit. You can cut the crap with me. Besides, it doesn't suit you.

My love is only for justice, milady.

[He chuckles with light amusement and an apologetic tone mixed on it.

He tenses when she presses closer, and his eyes gleam dangerously, not appreciating the act. But he also realizes that it's needed so she can whisper and he can hear, so he doesn't step back. Besides, it would probably look weird and attract attention to them if he suddenly stepped back or something. So he forces himself to lean towards her as if flirting back or something in order to answer with another whisper.]

I realize it more than you do, milady. I've had to say things like that several times now, but there are ears everywhere tonight as well as many eyes. As much as I would like to, I can't cut the chase short just yet.

*Faye does eventually stand back from him, noting that unlike most men, he hadn't attempted to touch her in anyway, not even a hand on her shoulder. She had listened to what he had to say, and realises that his problem is maybe not so much his acting skills but that he doesn't know how to speak nicely to women*

You can tone it down a bit, and you'd still fit in fine.

[He doesn't know how to speak nicely to anyone, period. And his acting skills are non existent anyway, because he has never really needed them.]

You were the one who started asking about if I had come with someone. Should I have replied negatively?

Not negatively, but an idea of who you might be allianced with might be more useful?

*Faye spoke quietly, as though she was having to really spell it out for him. She just wanted to know what crew he was with, really. For no real reason other than her own curiosity*

Useful for what? And what would I get for giving you said idea?

[Is there any reason why he should state clearly which crew he belongs to? No. Would the information expose a weakness or something? Not really. But basically all he has is the same amount of reasons to answer as he has to not answer, and Ikki's far from being happily informative just because.]

You already know in which side of the line I stand, don't you? Isn't that enough?

*What is this guy? So many questions...and so suspicious. They were on the same side, he was right, and yes, perhaps knowing who he belonged to didn't make a blind bit of difference but still, did he know what conversation and amusement were? She side eyed him and waved a hand airly in front of her*

I'm just curious, that's all. I've met some interesting people, it's just amusing to know if you know of them, that's all. But if you want to be that way, that's fine by me. No chip off my shoulder, anyway.

[Amusing, yeah. Definitively not a good reason for him, especially when she hasn't stated who she belongs to either. Why should he be any different?

No, definitively not answering that. He takes another sip and the music changes, initiating another song and catching his attention. His eyes move around, noticing a couple of eyes on them, though most probably they are just passing glances.]

Would you like to dance?

*Finally, this guy was suggesting something perfectly normal and, to be honest, expected. Sure enough he wasn't the most forward or friendly guy she'd met all night, but he'd warm round to her eventually she knew, and that involved asking to dance*

Well, thank you, yes. I thought you'd never ask...

[Ikki places his drink on the tray that a waiter is carrying before offering her his hand with a polite bow and a small smile though it's barely perceptible. Ready to bring her to the dancefloor.]

In that case, if you would honour me...

*Faye graciously takes his hand while giving a brief curtsy, pleased to note the disgruntled look of some of the unknown Navy men who had been watching them*

The honour would be all mine.

*She smirked as though that might be only partly true, and waited for him to hold her in stance to begin the dancing*

[He does as he must, holding her in the proper stance before he starts to lead the dancing. Despite it not being something he does regularly, thanks to Marco's lessons Ikki's far from being mediocre or even average. He's a good dancer, so despite his attitude and personality, at least as long as they are dancing it should be enjoyable for her.]

For someone who doesn't seem to enjoy being around people very much, you're not too bad at this.

*He was good, and she's quite surprised, but she smoothly falls in step with him. When it comes to dancing, Faye certainly doesn't seem to have a problem with personal space, holding herself close to him*

[Quite honestly, Ikki doesn't appreciate the lack of personal space, though that's hardly a surprise. However, as far as he knows, dancing means pretty much giving up on personal space, so at the very least he doesn't oppose to it either.]

I had a good teacher, my older brother is more used to those things than I am.

[Way more used, actually.]

*Faye smirked as they continued to dance, quirking a brow*

An older brother, hmm? Is he as handsome as you?

[His eyes narrow for a split second and his instinctive reaction is to actually get defensive. More than he normally is. But just as he has been doing so far whenever a girl commented on him being handsome or whatever, Ikki pushes it all back. Instead, he focuses on the rest of what Faye said and ignores the "as you" part, so she gets a humming noise before he replies with a smirk.]

Well... You could say that he sparkles with fabulousness. Not sure if that counts as handsome in your books.

*Well, that was quite the reaction that Faye had expected - her compliments are usually met a bit more enthusiastically. But perhaps what he says next has something to do with it. She tilts her head slightly and smiles*

"Sparkles with fabulousness", hmm? In my books, that can count for handsome, but maybe not the kind that likes what I personally have to offer...

*Perhaps both brothers are gay, she decides*

[And Ikki arches an eyebrow at that.]

I'm afraid you have lost me. What do you have to personally offer besides good company and conversatio-

[He pauses as a lightbulb flashes in his mind, because despite everything and the comment about being handsome or not... Those kind of things still don't come to him as an actual thing that comes up in natural conversations.]

Oh, you mean that. You're wrong, he would like it, he's fabulous but not in that way.

[Now excuse him as he turns red under the mask.]

*When Ikki initially begins to ask the question, Faye raises an arched eyebrow of her own, pressing her chest ever so slightly closer to him in order to aid him with the answer. She smirks widely at his realisation and laughs, tapping his upper arm with her hand*

Interesting. And good to know. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

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That Face!