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

[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.