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

[elissacousland]

"It is, but I have come to greatly appreciate some of those differences," she said while threading her fingers through his as she spoke. Elissa turned her head to look at him through the mask that covered the upper half of her face. "Haytham, I..."

It was tempting to confess to him that she'd read his private journal, but she feared it would only anger him and now was not the time. Still, she understood him better now - and knew he felt more for her than he had yet to express. Knowing Haytham, he might never truly put his feelings into words, but she was still warmed by knowing he did care for her.

[orderispeace]

Elissa looked into his eyes and spoke his name but the near confession was misunderstood. Instead of searching herself for the courage to admit what she had read he believed this a quiet moment like the one she had hinted about inside... a chance to steal a small moment of affection from a beautiful companion.

But the moment was interrupted by the creaking of the door behind them and the squeaking of not yet worn in new dress shoes. Haytham stepped away before the secret rendezvous could be entirely uncovered though the man had to have seen hos close they were standing or even how their fingers had been entwined.

"My lady are you feeling well?"

The Navy man spoke with a deep voice, one used to command... and one quite familiar to Haytham. Even with a mask covering the majority of his face the Templar kept his back to the man. It had been dark on that night and there had been a good distance of sea between them but it was best not to risk being recognized. He had after all killed the man's Commanding Officer during that one profitable but less than subtle smuggling mission he and Ban had once attempted together.

"Forgiveness Ma'am, but you looked ill before. If you need some looking after I could send for a Doctor?"

[elissacousland]

"How kind of you to ask," Elissa said with a warm smile that completely masked her irritation at the interruption as she turned to face the officer. She pressed her hand to her waist once again as she had inside and laughed with apparent embarrassment. "The air has done me good. You know how it can be at the best parties - a little too much champagne, a few too many rich treats, and then too much dancing. I fear I got a bit too warm."

She took a half step toward the interloper. "This is very forward of me, but... Do you dance, sir?"

[orderispeace]

The Officer looked between her to her companion perhaps finding it odd that the other man had said nothing, but at her offer he did step forward and hold out a hand.

"Aye, Ms. I do a little. It would be a great pleasure to dance with you."

Again Haytham was given a good hard look.

"If you are feeling up to it Ma'am."

[elissacousland]

In truth, Elissa wanted to do nothing more than stay with Haytham, but it was difficult to miss the looks he was receiving from the Navy man. Had he done something to draw suspicion? If so, luring the enemy away to dance might be his best protection.

"Thank you for the dance and your aid, ser," she called to the silent Haytham even as she took the officer's hand. "I am feeling much better and would be delighted to dance with you," was said to the true Navy man. The words were accompanied by a winning smile.

[orderispeace]

Haytham bowed as one does when dismissed by a lady and casually made his escape to a more shadowed corner of the terrace. This too might have seemed odd if he hadn't looked back up at the sky upon reaching the rail. Perhaps the man was just an enthusiast of astronomy and wished a better look at the stars? It was not uncommon for one whose overly ambitious flirtations were denied to seek solace from the heavens.
Still...

"Curious one that."

The Officer watched Haytham walk away, trying his hardest to place this strange feeling, before looking back at Elissa and giving her a smile.

"If he gives you anymore trouble you come see ole Murray. I'll see him off for you."

[elissacousland]

Elissa's laughter drifted back to Haytham as she continued to charm the officer and slowly draw him away. "He was no trouble, sir. However, if I see him again, I shall give him a rather large hint about how things will go in the future."

"You said your name was Murray?" could just be heard before the pair was back inside the door.

[orderispeace]

Unseen of course given his back was still to them but how quickly a smirk formed as Elissa made mention of her hint. Yes, he could imagine how that would go.

"Aye, Ma'am. Murray Clayworth. I'm in charge of the docks, making sure they run well and we keep smuggles out of town. Been in charge since the Commander was murdered."

Murray was quick to pat her hand as he lead... or was lead by Elissa, back into the ballroom.

"Sorry Ma'am I shouldn't have made mention of that on a nice evening like tonight."

[elissacousland]

"Murdered! What a terrible thing," Elissa agreed in a sympathetic tone as she returned to her role as a respectable citizen. "You are very brave and dutiful, Commander. Indeed, I thank you for all that you do to keep us safe. I am certain that I shall rest much easier now that I have met you."

Surely just one dance with this man would be enough to distract him from Haytham.

[orderispeace]

"Oh, aye, Ma'am nice of you to say."

The conversation alone was enough to distract him, a beautiful lady interesting in his line of work? Not many people really paid attention to the kinds of hardships men of his station had to deal with. The few compliments almost made it all seem worthwhile and the dance that followed was icing on the cake.

But even if he had remembered that strange man on the balcony and chanced to look back after him, Haytham would not be there to be found. He had slipped seamlessly back into the crowd as soon as it was possible to do so.