He's not jazzed by the ceremonies ending. He hasn't even found hide nor hair of that man. And now that dancing was open, he's mildly concerned he will be locked out of a dance by virtue of popularity. Paxton mulled it over and wondered if maybe he shouldn't have come at all. [break][break]

Deep in his thoughts, he sipped from a glass handed to him from the bar. Something called the Backforth Club? It was gin, and he was alright with that. Arber pays her trainer no mind, floating lightly around the man stealing all the attention that may have befallen the blonde. [break][break]

"If you'd like. We can make a game out of it." He offered back as he reached out and offered a hand for a handshake. "Good to meet you-" he began before Arber cut him off, mid introduction. She glared, wanting the blonde to play along with the party. No names. Only vibes. He cleared his throat. "I can help find whoever you're looking for." He added. [break][break]

thomas nightingale's startled him out of his thoughts, drink spilling on the floor and along with a well timed hiss of a curse from Paxton. His Florges can only giggle and wave at the other pair, unbothered as Paxton checked if he'd dropped any on himself. [break][break]

The officer set the glass on a passing waiter's tray before looking over at the stranger. Teal eyes, rove over the man, narrowed critically as he studied. He made a note of stature and mask. His voice was unfamiliar. When he's done, he settled on a polite smile and a quiet laugh. "Sorry, yes but they may not have shown up." Or they were well disguised. Either or. But, he liked to think he could pick out luciano fisk in a crowd.



[break][break]

+ thomas nightingale  + luciano fisk [break][break]
- SPILLS DRINK

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

as watchful as he attempted to be, in his own reluctance to be noticed, bo missed the passing smile of the masked willow atkins . an attempt at whatever respite might be found in a sip of tea was met with a sharp burn to his tongue, though just as effective of a distraction. immediately, it was followed by a voice he didn’t really care to hear. another burn.

he cleared his throat, lowering his dangerous beverage and barely looking over. ”thanks, vollans. you too.”

he hadn’t spoken to lance since the unveiling of his family’s business. it wasn’t knowledge he wanted to think about willow’s boyfriend having.

despite any worries, he was perfectly casual in his response, and still barely making eye contact when he shook his head, ”nope. she didn’t come with you?”

tldr:
- here, masked and dateless
- talkin to LANCE VOLLANS

☉

[FOLLOWING THE EVENTS OF OVERTURE]

Taking her chin between his thumb and index finger, the director titled her head upward and leaned down...

... placing a chaste, lingering kiss to Elisabeth Fiorelli's expectant lips. Nothing too heavy, nothing too taboo in the eyes of watching guests. Simple obligation under the guise of mistletoe.

Gideon pulled away just slightly, still close enough to feel the warmth from one another's breaths, and expressed in a low tone, "I hate to leave it here, but I'm sure there are others pining for your attention." Their earlier group had practically materialized from thin air as soon as she'd arrived. Already he could see hungry eyes on the periphery, waiting for their turn about the room.

"I'll be in touch, Elisabeth." Gently, he released his hold on her chin and stepped away. Speaking at a more conversational level now, Gideon added, "Thank you for the dance. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening."

With that said he let the crowds of excited dancers fill the space between them until Elisabeth Fiorelli was lost to the whims of the ballroom.

Sweeping his eyes across those gathered, Gideon looked for the telltale signs of someone with the urge to dance yet lacking a partner to do so. Inevitably he caught the gaze of Giselle Sigebrand and approached her with a tempered, disarming smile.

"Would you do me the honor?" He asked, offering his hand to the red-haired woman.

• suit check + mask
• smooch Elisabeth Fiorelli
• prompt #4 (mistletoe)
• asking Giselle Sigebrand for a dance

☉

while he's busy chitchatting with the league's power couple Eva Morales and MATIAS SILPH, a flash of red hair catches his glimpse. he wonders if it's PENELOPE LIVY, but the sight is gone as soon as he thinks it. before he can say much else, however, tofu makes an excited squeak and bee-line for someone in the crowd the very second the ballroom doors open.

[break][break] "woah — hey — wait!"

[break][break] clumsily, he puts a half-drunken glass of champagne back on a passing waiter's tray (who looks quite irritated by the matter, not that ollie has the time to think twice about it) before chasing after his pikachu.

[break][break] sure enough, the rest of the crowd swarms towards the ballroom door entrance but luckily enough, ollie is taller than most of the crowd at well over 6 feet so it's enough to swim through.

[break][break] tofu leaps onto willow atkins's shoulder with an excited 'chaa' before rubbing his cheek against the florist affectionately.

[break][break] "hey - tofu, you can't just — " he slows to a stop, blinking, before staring in awe.

[break][break] "wills..? you look... great."

[break][break] he can't help but be a little breathless. hey, it's not his fault! he'd just been running after tofu... right?

[break][break] he flashes a grin, offering a hand out.

[break][break] "do you want to dance?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Eva Morales MATIAS SILPH Josh Devlin [break]
wearing a suit and stantler mask [break]
open to interaction

[break][break] + spots willow atkins and offers her to dance

[attr="class","notes"]

her smile wanes when she sees lance sidle up to bo, drink in hand. bo's decent at hiding his emotions, but she knows him well enough to recognize the slight tug to his shoulders, the stiffness in his posture. she starts to walk over, but startles when something sparks against her cheek. 

she jumps and raises a hand against soft fur. tofu leans into her hand like the ham he is and willow turns back around, knowing his trainer can't be far behind. she smiles sheepishly at his praise and fists the bottom of her dress, feeling a bit naked without her well-worn jeans and flannel. 

"thanks. i feel weird."

she hesitates at the question and then thinks why not? not that she's running away from confrontation, from the physical manifestation of feelings she's refused to put into words.

"i'd love to, ols." she takes his hand and gives it a squeeze."but no making fun. i'm a bit out of practice."

boruta maher LANCE VOLLANS ollie morales
dress

☉

"you aren't."

[break][break] willow has always been pretty, but somehow, seeing her in that dress... god, she was gorgeous tonight. then again, maybe it was because they'd never quite been together at an event like this. most of their time spent together was either over text messages or in her father's backyard, knees dirty and hands caked in mud as they tended to her family's garden. or in the heat of her mother's kitchen, while he stuffed his face full of pie or fed baby roman pieces when she wasn't looking.

[break][break] now that he knows it's her, his grin is warm and easy as he takes her hand in his and leads her across the dance floor. the music swells as the orchestra starts, pitching in sounds that are long and steady as several other pairs take to the dance floor.

[break][break] "don't worry," he chuckles. "i'm no prince either. we can be clumsy together."

[break][break] oblivious as always, ollie leads willow to the dance floor right in the line of sight of boruta maher and LANCE VOLLANS. whether either of the rangers notice is up to them — but ollie is fairly obvious in his outfit. at least, for those who knew him.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] willow atkins [break]
wearing a suit and stantler mask [break]
open to interaction

[break][break] + dancing with willow atkins (will make spin-off thread soon!)

[attr="class","notes"]