The Samhain Ball - Come as You Aren't

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

A woman strides through the Nexus, garbed in royal finery of a distinctly Elizabethan style. In the crook of her arm, she carries an ebony scepter shod and capped in silver. There may be something familiar about her confident bearing, her angular features, her mismatched eyes. When she pauses to speak, the cadence of her words might spark recognition--is this Schön?!

"People of the Nexus, friends, in the world from which I hail we stand on the cusp of a special day, a harvest-fest when the walls between worlds grow thin, when masks and costumes are worn to frighten away the wicked spirits--or to invite them in on more congenial terms. So on this day, I invite you, each and every one of you, to join me in a revel to bid farewell to Summer, and welcome with fire and song the coming dark! Join me, won't you?" Letting her gaze sweep the crowd, she raps the heel of her scepter once against something solid, vanishing in a flash and leaving a sparkling trail for the curious to follow.

A cool wind herds dry, crackling leaves through the gathering gloom. On the cusp between the parklands and the residential district, darkness and cloudy skies have been slowly coalescing for days around a stately house of Gothic style, ivy-encrusted and showing its age somewhat. A square tower stands vigil over the entryway, tall windows overlooking the flagstone drive looping around a fountain gone dry. The house’s angular wings stretch to either side, the windows dark save for occasional glints and gleams of colored lights bobbing within. A glow does creep over the line of the roof, however, and the faint throb of distant music hint at something happening behind the house. The door stands open, a silent invitation to every brave soul who passes by.

((Happy Halloween! Enjoy the festivities. All LOLs are optional. Threadhopping is encouraged. Backtagging is forever, so don’t worry about missing out: we’ll still be here when you get back from your more mundane ghosties and goblins.))

Playlist
Visualosity
The Entrance
The Ballroom
The Banquet
The Bonfire
The Corn Maze
Dark Corners
Costume Icon Requests
The Photo Booth

Comments

[shardofwinter]

Reynard peers at him. "I... want to say that I've heard of stranger beginnings to friendships. I'm not entirely sure that I can. Should I be impressed at your skills of persuasion or marvel at the bizarre life you've led?"

[smartass_captain]

"Always be impressed by my skills Reynard. Always." Jim can't keep the grin off his face. "I don't know when to quit and failure is never an option."

Says the man who beat an impossible test because he couldn't stand losing to it twice.

"Where there's a will, there's a way, right?"

[shardofwinter]

A hand goes to his chest and he dips his head in a quiet apology before he corrects himself, "I am entirely in awe of your skills, my dear. And your attitude. We shall have to sit down and swap adventure stories one day. I would be distraught if we didn't."

[smartass_captain]

"That I can agree to." Jim finishes off his drink and leans over the table they're sharing.

"For now, would the King care for a dance?"

[shardofwinter]

He grins and sets his glass down. "Well, since you are the captain of the best starship in the Federation fleet... I think that keeps to my standards."

[smartass_captain]

"You're so gracious to allow my costume in your presence." He tease, but Jim's on his feet in no time offering his arm for Reynard to take.

"You can lead, Your Highness. I wouldn't dream of making royalty play backup."

[shardofwinter]

Reynard laughs and takes Jim's arm without any more prompting to lead them both to the ballroom. "I'd better not dip you. I don't think your skirt is that generous."

[smartass_captain]

"Hey it's up to you. If it makes you feel better, I totally found something I could wear underneath so it's nothing scandal worthy." Jim shrugs easily while they head back through the throng of people.

"But maybe a good idea if you're not planning on finding a quiet corner for us to dance in. Decency and something something whatever." Jim could you be more flippant about your body?

[shardofwinter]

"Very considerate of you. You'll excuse me if I don't believe you're the kind of man to hide away in quiet corners." No, Reynard thinks he'd be much more at home centre stage of the dance floor, which is where he's aiming for.

[smartass_captain]

"And normally you'd be correct. But I have been forbidden by Verity to do anything inappropriate tonight so i'm on my best behavior. And will be so long as there is the chance she can see me and get upset."

Take that how you will, Reynard, Jim's all smiles regardless.

[shardofwinter]

Reynard considers this for half a moment, a thoughtful expression fixed on his face. "What do you call your commanding officer, captain?"

[smartass_captain]

"Normally? Me." Jim grins and shakes his head. "It's fine, Reynard. I'm just glad you accepted my offer to dance."

He's chuckling even as he puts a hand on Reynard's shoulder, shifting to allow the other to lead in their dancing.

"How about you?"

[shardofwinter]

"No, I was going to make a jibe about Verity becoming your commanding officer. It was going to be terribly witty." And once he has Jim in his arms, he'll set off in an energetic dance to match the music. "What about me?"