1st Annual Halloween Block Party!

[iam_senpai]

Perhaps it's the leaves of fiery golds and oranges drifting on the breeze, or the sight of various hard squash being mangled into festive ornaments, or even still the bowls of candy left out simply everywhere in the Nexus that signifies the import of today. Regardless of when you take heed, Halloween has come to the Nexus.

Neat little handmade signs and fliers of all kinds lead to a particularly festive sectioned off block with the Crossroads Cafe at the center. The brick building has more than its fair share of decorations hung from every available windowsill and door. Hanging skeletons, jolly Jack-O-Lanterns, orange and black streamers cascading down and blowing to and fro in the crisp breeze.

The doors are propped open just waiting to beckon you inside. What are you waiting for?

((See the OOC post if you have any questions! Backtagging and threadhopping are fine. Come on in and have a blast :D ))



Coats and Costumes
The Cafe
Bonfire
Dance Floor
Haunted House
Side Halls and Storage

Comments

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's hard for Amelia to miss someone who seems to be hiding at the edge of the party. Being somewhat of an social outlier, the rogue has been trying to engage some of the others who show similar habits to get them more engaged. She's not very good at it, but the woman's muted curiosity as she watches the gathered crowd gives an Amelia an idea on how to start a conversation with the masked woman.

"Finding anything interesting here tonight?" she asks with an open curiosity. A small smile touches her lips as she steps a little closer. "Or is that what you're hoping for as you watch the crowd?"

[courtofmurk]

The woman smiles shyly, betraying no sign of recognizing the rogue. "Yes, a little. I don't know any of the people here. It's so hard to know where I should begin."

Her voice is light and sweet, with a soft accent that's hard to place; it sounds as if she's... older, perhaps? She laughs self-consciously.

"I suppose I'm a little overwhelmed by the crowd."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia smiles knowingly. Big crowds aren't really her thing these days either. "They can be overwhelming, yes, but they can also make for unique opportunities. You never know who you might meet in them or the interesting things you could learn."

It can go either way, but it's always worth the risk in a place like the Nexus.

"Perhaps you just need the company of one person at a time to help you ease into trying the crowd?" The rogue nods to an open seat next to the masked woman. "If that's all right, of course."

[courtofmurk]

"Of course. That's kind of you." Dark eyes glitter behind the mask, the woman rearranging her skirts to leave Amelia more space. "May I ask your name?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

The rogue nods and takes a seat, shifting a little to get comfortable in the fairly new corset she's still trying to break in. In the end, she finds herself sitting up taller and straighter than she had planned, but such is the struggle of this kind of outfit.

"Amelia Ronsam," she offers with a small smile. "Or Catwoman, for the night anyway. And who might you be? If not all the time then at least for the night."

Start small and build up the conversation. That's how normal people do this, right?

[courtofmurk]

In contrast, her companion looks as if she's relaxing quite casually on her seat- mmm, or perhaps more as if she's trying to look relaxed, to hide her nerves. It doesn't seem to come easily.

"Oh!" She leans closer to tell Amelia her name - Lucina? Lucilla? - something like that, at least. It'll seem clear enough until the rogue tries to call it to mind again. "But I suppose tonight I'm a fox instead."

She leans back to admire Amelia's outfit for a moment. "Your costume is very daring. Very sleek."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Although Amelia repeats the name several times to herself, it's never the same name twice. Her brow furrows as she tries to keep it on the tip of her tongue when she's suddenly blushing at the compliment.

"Oh, thank you. My tailor was kind enough to accommodate me when I asked him to incorporate a corset into it for me." She smiles sheepishly and then gestures to her companion's attire. "The silk and design of your gown are magnificent. I'm honestly quite jealous - fine fabrics and classic designs are a weakness of mine." Which is why she can speak to her tailor so well about what she wants every time she goes to see him.

[courtofmurk]

"Why, thank you. I spent quite some time wondering what I should wear for the occasion." There's little ornamentation on her dress, but the grey silk falls in complicated folds, creating subtle shadows and patterns, rustling softly when she leans forward.

"This is an unusual kind of gathering, for me." She makes it sound like a shy little confidence. "Are you a friend of the host's, by any chance?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's a gown that would make her tailor drool and that, in turn, catches Amelia's interest. What she wouldn't give for something that turned heads with that kind of subtle beauty - and a lack of scars to be willing to wear it in public.

"I've met them all, but I wouldn't call us close enough to be friends. I'll have to offer all of them my compliments before I leave, though - it's a wonderful party. Food, drink, costumes, a fire, music for dancing?" A small smile touches her lips as she regards the other woman. "I admit I could be enticed to stay out all night for the first time in a long while." It's been so long since she felt this way about anything she's done, but the prospect of staying out with friends to really enjoy herself is one that the rogue is honestly excited about.

Speaking of dancing, though... Amelia nods in the direction of the music. "Has anyone offered you a dance, yet, Lady?" She's falling back on old habits in light of not quite being able to remember the woman's name. "Or might I be the first to inquire if you're feeling up to it?" She offers a hand across the table, but doesn't push any further. If the well dressed woman declines, then that will be the end of it. But if not... well, there's a whole dance floor waiting for them.

[courtofmurk]

Her first remarks prompt a tilt of the lady's head. "Really? I wouldn't take you for someone who hides away come nightfall."

That aside, she rises swiftly and accepts Amelia's hand, inclining her head just a fraction to the woman. "I do enjoy those willing to dance with me." Is that the normal way to put that? Oh, well. Off they go- and for all that it was Amelia's invitation, her mysterious partner seems to be the one leading her onto the floor. The dance beginning just as they step out is a lively one with a strange rhythm to it, and Amelia will be given only a second to find her place before they start off. The lady already seems to know her steps exactly.

[rogueinladysclothing]

A smirk tugs at her lips. "The night and I are good friends, yes, but not many people notice I'm around when I'm out." Which is exactly how it should be when she's on a job or practicing with her weapons. A rogue should never be seen unless she wants to be, after all.

That's an odd turn of phrase, but Amelia takes it as another one of those strange phrases she hasn't run into before tonight here in the Nexus. It certainly wouldn't be the first time she simply didn't know a colloquialism someone used on her. There's not much time to focus on the strange response, though, as they're soon on the dance floor and she's forced to concede her lead to the other woman. The rogue may not know the steps, but for those few seconds she fakes it while she figures it out still feel completely natural. Her time and rhythm match that of her partner and by the time she has the steps down, it's as if she's been doing it right all along.

"You move very well," she notes as she moves a little closer and adjusting her steps to keep them there. "One might think you'd planned the music to your tastes with how easily you took the lead from me." Despite her neutral tone, there's a hint of mischief in her eyes as she meets the other woman's gaze. There's something more to this mysterious woman than she's letting on, that much is obvious, and Amelia wants desperately to know what it is.

[courtofmurk]

"Took it?" Who knows what her expression is behind that mask, as she meets Amelia's eyes. "Perhaps I'm even more skilled in bluffing than you are." Was that just a little pointed?

[rogueinladysclothing]

Turns out her companion is a cheeky one. Amelia levels and even look at the woman, though her eyes are alight with mischief. "It's impolite to take the lead without asking," she chides, "and since I did the asking, I believe that makes me the lead."

As if to prove her point, she takes a step forward out of time with the dance, hoping to catch her partner off balance for even a fraction of a second. Once they're closer, the rogue slips an arm around the other woman's waist and takes one of her hands in her free one. Another half step forward and she dips the other woman low to the ground, never once losing her balance as she holds her partner there for a second, her eyes locked with the other woman's, before drawing her slowly back up.

As they fall back into the usual steps, Amelia releases her partner from her hold. "See? Much more fun if you were to let me take some charge at least." She is most certainly not smirking as she says that. Yes she is. Yes she totally is.

[courtofmurk]

The woman's eyes never leave Amelia's for a moment, never waver in the slightest as the rogue steals back the the initiative.

"And what would you do, if you were given your way?" Her light voice rings clearly even amid the noise of music and happy dancers.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I'd keep finding ways to amuse us both."

Which is exactly what she does, now that she's been given permission. With an open smirk on her lips, she takes her companion's hands and leads her through several sets of intricate steps and turns. Since the other woman follows her unspoken lead without any effort, Amelia pulls out every obscure and interesting dance movement she can think of, eager to test them both as they play this intriguing game together.

When one song ends and another, slightly slower one takes its place in the air, the rogue settles them into the slower pace without a thought. "More?" she asks, trying to keep her eagerness concealed and mostly succeeding. "Or are you ready to call it a night?"

[courtofmurk]

It's hard to say at times whether the lady is keeping up easily or her steps simply chance to fall in just the right ways, but the end result is the same.

"I have many places to be and people to speak with." She shrugs, though she hasn't yet broken off the dance. "By all means enjoy your play, but your work is only just beginning."