OPEN TO EVERYONE: Summer Gala

[bowdown]

Characters: Everyone!
Location: By the Park swimming pool
Rating: G to PG (any higher rating, please make a private log)
Time: 20th June (FORWARDED DATE)
Notes: Go ahead and add links as you please under the main threads. If there is anything you need or I forgot, contact me and I will add!

Tonight, the park is full of life. Lights show the way towards the swimming pool, where you can find large white tents set up, all connected to each other. Music, loud chatter and laugher come from them, and inside you may find Guests and Natives enjoying the night together, a rare sight after recent events happening in the City. But tonight, all of that is to be forgotten. Maybe.

Welcome to the Summer Gala.

Feel free to leave your coat by the Coat room, listening to music (some songs are even played by Guests such as Karina, Shinji, Nanami, Hamel and John), dance together (don’t forget the Partner’s dance!), enjoy good food and good drinks, and perhaps after take a stroll by the swimming pool and the park.

But please, don’t forget to thank your hosts, Keroro’s and Eve’s Metokkori R and Hikan Café, and thank Cupid, Lily’s Yesterday's Magic, Hyoubu’s World’s End, Condesce’s Betty Crocker Bakery and the Watch for all their help. And if there is any disaster with your clothing and hair tonight, look for Kanaya and she will give you a hand!

■ PREPARATIONS

Condesce [Open]
Keroro[Open]

■ ARRIVAL/COAT ROOM

Condesce [Open]
Sendo [Open]
Saya [Open]
Bumblebee [Open]
Matt [Open]
Re-l [Open]
Naoto [Open]
Lee [Open]
Fujino [Open]
Meenah [Open]
Minatsuki [Open]
Minako [Open]
Duo [Open]
Near [Open]
Hyoubu [Open]
Giroro [Open]
Kanaya [Open] - Clothing Repairs
Edgeworth [Open]
Dolorosa [Open]
Sugata [Open]
Hiro [Open]
Alucard [Open]
Cupid [Open]
Raidou [Open]
JK [Open]
Yuugi [Open]

■ DINNING TABLES

Saya[Open]
Senji [Open]
Re-l [Open]
Duo [Open] *
Josuke [Open]
Vincent [Open]
Sugata [Open]
Hiro [Open]
Naoto [Open] *

■ BAR

Matt [Open]
Re-l [Open] *
Psiioniic [Open]
Senji [Open]
Duo [Open]
Snake [Open]
Cupid [Open]
Meenah [Open] *

■ BALLROOM

Partner's dance
Lily [Open]
Minatsuki [Open]
Minako [Open]
Karina [Open]
Genesis [Open]
Kanaya [Open]
Dolorosa [Open]
Fujino [Open]
Hamel [Open]
Sugata [Open]
Hiro [Open] *
Yako [Open]
Asuka [Open]
Cupid [Open]
Sendo [Open]

■ SWIMMING POOL

Saya [Open]
Matt [Open]
Condesce [Open] *
Hyoubu [Open]
Shinji [Open]

■ LAVATORIES

Condesce [Open]
Yamazaki [Open]

■ WATCH AREA

Neji [Open]
Mello [Open]
Fabiola [Open]
Karkat [Open] *
Gray [Open]

■ PARK

Amaterasu [Open]
Mizuno [Open]

Comments

[Open]

[pishirogane]

[Having been busy all day with things unrelated to work, Naoto arrives shortly after the Gala begins. She wonders for a moment if her Meister has already arrived, glancing around to see if he can spot him. Vaguely, she wonders if he'll know it's her.]

[Not many people may have known, but her hair had grown. As occupied as she had become, she never got that haircut. Up to this point, it had been hidden under her usual hat. It's longer and tamed for the evening, a simple flower hairpin over her left ear holding her hair. She's not wearing a suit either it seems, having gone for a short, strapless black dress and small jacket. It leaves the silver ring with the Fortune wheel displayed nicely on her chest. Last, she was wearing black heels, open-toed with crossing straps. With nails were painted with a clear coat of polish and her skin was barely touched by makeup, she looked down. Maybe she shouldn't stand around like this. It was somewhat embarrassing.]

[topgun_textiles]

[He tucked the engraved silver pocket watch back into his pocket and hurried along, nudging his way through crowds. They'd decided to meet up after the morning's duties around now, but he couldn't navigate through the crowds that had gathered. Last thing he wanted was to come off like he stood her up...]

[His eyes fell on a face he knew and lingered, just long enough to walk right into one of the support beams for the tent and quickly recover, stepping back and brushing off. W-was that really...!?]

Naoto...!

[Not to be deterred by his little accident, he made a beeline, nudging past other pairs that were heading inside. He couldn't believe it- she'd dressed up when they took that trip to Japan, but never in a place surrounded by friends and colleagues like now.]

I- uhm- ah.

[Blink. Kanji.exe is now restarting. Restart complete.]

Y-you look- y'look great.

[pishirogane]

[She noticed the tent wobble and raised an eyebrow. Was that the wind? She didn't linger on the thought because someone called her name. Her face darkened at the sight of her Meister, dressed up in a suit and tie... which could use some straightening.]

Good evening, Kanji...

[Her face just continued to burn brighter]

Thank you... You're handsome yourself. N-not that you're not every day.

[topgun_textiles]

[This was turning into a 'who had the redder face' contest. Was she talking about him? Seriously? Wow.]

Oh. Uh, really? Thanks.

[He offered an arm.]

...L-let's go inside.

[pishirogane]

[She nodded hurriedly and looked away. Her heart was pounding; hopefully, it wouldn't stick to that pace too long.]

[At his offered arm, she raised her head and managed a small smile.]

Yes.

[Arm looping his, she stepped closer, nearly leaning but resisting the urge. Later they could do that. For now, it was time to enjoy the evening out together.]

[topgun_textiles]

[He nodded and stood just a little taller as he headed on inside with her. The evening hadn't even started and it was all ready one full of surprise- she'd been pretty quiet about what she was wearing to the Gala.. and he could see why.]

[He was dressed to the nines, had a pretty girl at his arm, and a whole dance door to dick around on!]

Check it out- Damn, they got a fancy band n' everything! How'd they manage to pull all this off...?

[pishirogane]

[She had been hoping to surprise him and fortunately, his work left her easily able to pull off this feat. Still, he was decked out too. As always, he cleaned up very good.]

[She walked quietly with him, her eyes taking in the decor as well.]

With plenty of sponsers and hosts, not to mention help, pulling off this much was easy so to speak. Of course, the arrangement must have taken enough time. And convincing the citizens to come...

[topgun_textiles]

I dunno if it'll convince 'em to cut us some slack on how the war's goin', but... y'know, it's nice to have 'em here too, so long as they don't pull nothin'.

S'gotta be why I see some Watch here. [He nodded to the people posted at the edges.]

Anyways... let's hit the floor and put some other dancers ta shame.

[pishirogane]

Yes. The Watch is serving as Security for the evening.

[Glancing over, she notices the dancers. Looks like a majority are partners. It... would be nice. Looking up at him, she nods]

Sure. I trust you can lead?

[topgun_textiles]

[A confident pound of a fist against his chest.]

You're with a natural!

[A natural who watched... a lot of dancing competitions growing up. Visual learner. He turned and took both her hands, then stepped back to ease them onto the floor.]

'Course, if you ever feel like leading, I ain't against that neither. Just gimme a nudge.

[He piped down and craned his head. Song was ending and some of the pairs were departing the floor to give their feet a break, but Kanji's eyes were determined. He tried to ignore that some folks at the table had recognized them and were all ready watching. N-no pressure...]

Cutting in after Kanji has his chat with his woman. XD

[draculabackwards]

Naoto did say that she was waiting for you. *This is from Alucard, who is looking dashing in a black pinstripe suit complete with hat, black shirt and a dark red tie. He's tamed his long hair and tied it in a long tail at his neck.*

[topgun_textiles]

Huh -- Oh, uh, sup. Yeah, I found her and we got some dancing in. Givin' the feet a little break before meeting up for dinner.

[He glances around.]

...Came here with somebody?

[draculabackwards]

With me? No, I came here alone. *Raidou hasn't surprised him yet by his arrival.*

[topgun_textiles]

Oh. ...Uhh... s'Kuzunoha-san busy workin' or somethin'? They got Partner's Dance goin' on again pretty soon.

Damn it! I knew I should'a looked for him beforehand! Dude's a Two-Star Meister now. Wanted to say 'grats to both you guys.

[draculabackwards]

Well, thank you for your kind words. We are still behind you in terms of experience and kishin eggs, but we are doing our best.

You know, Naoto said something that I should have asked Raidou to come with me but...one would have thought it was be suggestive of something else. *It would seem that someone has gotten a clue since the last time they spoke and also trying a...bit hard to deny.* Even if he was here, I doubt he'd want to dance with me.

[topgun_textiles]

It don't have to suggest somethin' else. ...And y'don't know that.

What if he thinks the same thing, that he figures y'don't wanna dance with him, y'know? I mean... y'do, right?

[draculabackwards]

*In times past, Alucard had, perhaps unfairly, labeled Kanji as being too much on the side of brash and not enough on the side of clear thinking, chalking it up to his young age. In this, however, he had to admit the young man had the better of him.*

I suppose that would be pointless to deny.

[draculabackwards]

Oh, detective, good evening. *Alucard doffs his hat toward her. It's quite a nice one, matching his black pinstripe suit with black silk shirt and red tie. His hair is tied back at his neck.* Here with Kanji, one assumes?

[pishirogane]

[She turns, surprised to see Alucard and nods. Naoto's still a little pink]

Yes. And you're here with Kuzunoha-san?

[draculabackwards]

With...? *The question catches Alucard off guard. She couldn't possibly guess what he would have -liked- to happen. No of course not, that's absurd. He stuffs the newfound and uncomfortable feelings away in his chest. Clearly there is a more logical explanation and it comes to the dhampir.* Oh, you mean did each of us find dates? I am afraid not. Raidou mentioned no interest in the gala and I could not seem to find a young woman who wasn't already going with someone else. So I decided to attend of my own accord.

[pishirogane]

Really? That's a shame. Kuzunoha-san should get out a little more himself. I'm sure if you had asked him, he may have considered. Events like these help partners grow closer.

[draculabackwards]

I suppose but...to a gala? Where one is expected to have a date? I doubt that Raidou would have appreciated being considered a date to his partner. *Which is the truth, as far as Alucard knows. It is how things are.*

But that is neither here nor there. You look lovely tonight.

[pishirogane]

... Is that necessary? I thought you could always come to events like this as friends. [She never considered... hm.]

Hm? Oh, thank you... You're very dashing yourself this evening.

[draculabackwards]

If that is so, that is a modern sentiment. In all the balls I have gone to, it was expected to be in the company of the opposite sex. *Although granted, all the balls he went to were around the time the printing press was just getting underway.*

Multumesc. I thought about wearing what I came to this city in, but I suspected that might be considered cheating, of a sort.

[pishirogane]

Ah, yes. Times have changed and so have social views. Of course, where you are still depends. The old generation and the new generation conflict.

What is it you arrived wearing?