(no subject)

[kira-galliard.livejournal.com]

{Early Evening- Tuesday, 29th June ~ Day 394}
{Crossroads DanceHall}

Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time
I feel alive
And the world turning inside out, yeah
And floating around in ecstasy, so
Don't stop me now
Don't stop me
'Cuz I'm having a good time, having a good time

It is finally time to open the doors.
The lights are on- thanks to a couple folks from the fair who came out to help me with 'em. And the musics' done warming up now- sounds of instruments tuning and and the player's psyching each other up have given over to songs playing and feet stomping along.
A few brave souls have opened the dancing and there are mostly smiles all around.

So far so good.

A lot of the younger set know me by now from hiring them for the clean-up, and I put up some signs around town, so hopefully we'll have a good turn out.
And now that the greater part of the haying is done, people are in a good mood. People like to dance and come out and see each other when they're happy. Even in a strange town like this that holds true.

Smooth my skirt as I circle the floor towards the drink stand. I'll probably take a few turns of my own tonight, but mostly my job is to meet people who don't know me yet and get them to like me enough to come back. If the night continues like this, I do think it'll turn out fine.

The band starts another song, and I find my smile is genuine.

(The DanceHall is open to all! Come on in and have fun!)

Comments

[jaeresteade.livejournal.com]

It's not been an easy week or so. The whole town's talking, for one thing, about what happened at the cafe' with Glass and Iago, God rot them both. I heard five different versions of the story this weekend alone, one where Iago'd challenged me and I knocked him down. That telling I could do with being true. The rest of them not so much.

Ri is still pissed at me, and I guess I can see why. Her name's been dragged into all this, though not by me, I was quick to tell her. I'm so sick of arguing over all this. I hope if I see her here we can just dance and have a good time.

Verdi and I are fine, more than, and I sure as hell mean to dance with her tonight. She owes me since I helped her haul the casks of mead and other drinks over for the refreshments tonight.

There'll be time for that later, though. Right now there's a hell of a girl in a hell of a red dress heading toward the drinks table and the band's just starting a good song. I remind myself I'm not working this party and hold out a hand to her. "Will you let me have this one, or can I get you a drink first?"

[kira-galliard.livejournal.com]

"Will you let me have this one, or can I get you a drink first?"
Well, I didn't expect anyone to ask me quite this soon. Give him a quick once-over. A little shaggy, maybe. But he looks eager enough, and probably nimble enough to not tromp on me. Just wouldn't do to have that happen so early in the evening.

I flash him a smile and extend my hand so he can lead me out, "Why delay when there's a perfectly lovely song starting now?"

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

This was a great idea. The town may be growing and store are all well and good, but having something for the younger people to do?

It may just make my friday and saturday nights a little quieter. Oh there will still be brawls at the Whitechapel and The Tavern... but stupid kids jumping from haylofts and having cows tipped on to them? Yeah, this may cut down on those idiot calls.

Told Lannie I was going to drop in here, in hopes she'll decide to come by and join me. Mentioned the leather pants would be a good thing to wear... heh.

Wander in, and right now, the only person I truly know well enough to talk to is Jarmyn, and he looks like he's set his sights on a pretty blonde in a red dress. I sigh and roll my eyes, and head in the opposite direction. Maybe Molly is here somewhere. Or Jamie, or Iago or anyone else for that matter.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Haven't been down the Tavern in a while, no surprise, and not bloody well after setting foot in the Whitechapel. So this, it's a chance to slip in and take a look, have a chance to stand back and watch folk, and I've been rather missing that of late.

Pick myself up a drink and stroll on away from the table, glancing 'round. Spot someone familiar crossing the room and thread my way over.

"Evening," I say mild. "How've you been?"

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I must say I am not in a very celebratory mood. After my conversation with Zann and Lucien I of course went home and told Hermia about Micah's "friend"; she was as shocked as me. We talked for a long time about what to do, and resolved that I should try to speak to him. Unfortunately, the inn was so busy all weekend it was difficult to get Micah alone to speak to him. I did manage to ascertain he had no plans to see Danika, thank God, and I made sure he stayed close to home, finding him tasks to do all weekend. Tonight I've brought everyone out for this party - Alice is excited about it, which is cheering, and maybe I will be able to collar Micah for a man-to-man chat. I've been thinking about it over and over and I'm still not sure what to say.

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

Valmont wanted to be the one to talk to Micah, and I agreed - Valmont has always had a better rapport with the boy, now that Micah has come past that first painfully awkward crush. Not that Valmont knows what to say. Not that any of us know what to say. it makes me sick to think of that thing taking advantage of a boy like Micah! But that is what the thing in the Tower does - it preys on innocence. That's what it did to that girl Genny from the carnival, from what Zann said. It didn't hurt her, not beyond the hurt that comes to a young person who is deceived love, so I hope that it has not hurt Micah, either.

And I must speak to Alice, still, about Micah and about boys and about magic. She floats in and out in her vague way, and seems to be all right, and certainly there have been no other destructive incidents. But still - this cannot go untended.

She is so wonderfully happy to be here tonight! I fear that it will hurt her when I speak to her of magic...

But today is the haymaking festival and the party afterwards, and the dance hall is full of music and friends. And it is a day to celebrate the town, which is something that we truly wish to do.

And so we go in, me on Valmont's arm, watching Micah and Alice in their happiness, and all that Valmont and I can think of is the conversation that he must have with Micah.

Dear gods, have we become one of those families that looks decorous on the outside but is falling apart within?

(but we are thinking of ourselves as a family, says another part of my mind.)

"Shall I get us some punch?" I murmur to Valmont, giving him a weak little attempt at a smile and a squeeze to his arm. "Or would you like to dance first?"

[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

Got called in with Will & a few others to help rig the lighting up & I gotta say, I'm glad for it. A little extra money besides, it's nice to see the inside of this place. Not that I'm much for dancing, but there's food & drink for us when we're finished. Plus the hostess seems nice, although there's a touch of... something to her Pattern. Like she's been touched by something powerful.

I tried not to stare when I was introduced & sure as heck didn't shake her hand. Still feel a little off after that circle in the woods. But we started work on this pretty much right after, so I haven't had the chance to talk with Syl. Chester said he'd deal with whoever started the blaze, but I'm more concerned about Tez. If he is really & truly back, what does that mean for... well the rest of us? Is it like it was with Verdi, a cleansing? If so, it's possible his mind or even his form might have changed...

That could complicate things even more.

I grab a few of the little sandwiches the hostess left for the crew, wrapping some in my handkerchief before putting them in my jacket pocket. Think I'll check out what drinks this place has to offer & watch people dance for a bit. Could be fun.

[marbasthefallen.livejournal.com]

"Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight."

It's an annoying habit I am sure I picked up from Wanda, but I find that once a song gets in my head, it's stuck. I am softly singing that under my breath as I wander into the dance hall. I've now taken to following Lucien, at a discrete distance of course. Thought I had my chance on Sunday in the park... but he got caught up with the mechanic girl and stayed at the fairgrounds all bloody day. At least I don't have to be quite so secretive here. It is a public function after all...

And I see there is little chance of catching him alone now that he's talking to the sin eater. Damn, he'll probably walk her home too, gentlemanly fuck that he is. This? This is getting irritating. I am reaching the point where I will have to do it in the middle of the street in broad daylight.

Look around for something to distract me, and there's a small, dark haired thing, and she has a scent about her...
it's old yet familiar.

I drift closer to see her stash some choice morsels in her jacket. "They are usually better the day they are made." I say dryly, giving her a smile over the rim of my cup. "Life is sweeter in the moment, and the future is often not as pleasing as one thinks it will be."

[tezcatl-ipoca.livejournal.com]

I am watching Valmont dancing with Hermia, and there is a sad sort of ache in my chest. Everything in confusing. It has all been stirred up again by meeting Gaueko. I don't want to be what I once was, before I was pulled apart and cobbled back together: I want to be only what has grown since then, the Micah who Valmont knows. But then there is Iblis. For her sake I wouldn't want to forget again. Once it would have been easier to move through all this, I think. I almost-remember it, thinking clearly.

There's punch, at least. Perhaps it will have alcohol in it. it won't make it easier to think, but it may make the feelings better.

[sapphira-ststep.livejournal.com]

Coming off the floor for a drink, downstage and downtime, slipping through the lines of motion that shape the guests and crowd. It's a lovely night, I think, well worth wearing something bright (http://www.angel-mask.com/solarity.jpg), and I would like to come here again.

There are several other people moving towards the drinks as well, but the saddest is a--boy or a man, really, here and in this time it rather depends on him--moving alone and towards the punch, and I offer him the glass I've just poured for myself. "Evening," I say, smiling. "Excuse me, but you don't know Leah, do you?"

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

It's nice to have somewhere to go besides the Tavern, the Whitechapel or the Carnival for fun. I've used the excuse to redye my hair and pick some stuff to go with it. I did the top in a nice dark blue and the bottom in a purple,I teased the top part out a bit but left the bottom to drape nicely over my shoulders. It is getting so long now.

The top echoes my hair, a scoopneck tank that leaves my arms bare and covers the rest with its glittery mesh that shifts between blue and purple. The skirt is dark cotton with a a fluffy underskirt and I put on my least ripped pair of fishnets. for the last touches I added my silver broken heart choker and my boots, can't have guys stomping on my feet all night.

I come in and see that a few people are dancing already and others are sitting or standing with drinks. I look to dancefloor and catch sight of Jarmyn dancing with a blonde in a red dress. A wave of anger rises up inside me and I mutter, "Jerk," under my breath and look away. I'm still pissed at him for that scene in the Miskatonic but he probably doesn't get why. I head off towards the drinks determined that this will not be like Christmas. I'm going to have a drink and then find some one to dance with me, if I like them well enough I might even consider going home with them after.

[jaeresteade.livejournal.com]

I help myself to a cup of mead and watch the people for a while. The hall's starting to fill up with people I know. Can't find Verdi yet, but I might ask Hermia for a dance once she and Valmont are finished. Need some advice about--

Oh, yes. There's no mistaking the hair, though it's blue now. And I'm pretty sure she's the only girl here wearing boots. I start toward her, trying to convince myself she looks happy to see me. "Hey, Ri."

Clear enough that's the wrong way to start. I know better than to ask her to dance right away. "Can I get you a drink?"

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

I find myself standing against one of the walls, scanning the crowd while tapping one foot enough that my skirt (http://www.pyramidcollection.com/itemdy00.asp?ID=51,610&GEN1=Dresses&T1=P87584+XS&dispRow=268&srccode=) is shifting around my knees. I like to wear dresses to events like this. Folk don't tense up as much when they see the Sheriff in a skirt. Its like none of them has ever heard of a thigh holster.

Have to say I'm happier to have people here tonight then packing the Tavern. Dancing is a much better release valve for exhausted but happy people than heavy drinking is.

Good to see people enjoy themselves.

[jaeresteade.livejournal.com]

I'm not alone in leaning on the wall. There's a redhead in a wonderful purple dress who it takes me a minute to recognize is the sheriff. I swallow hard and start to edge away before I realize she might not be here on business.

"Am I going to be in trouble if I ask you for a dance?" I start cautiously. Haven't done anything against the law, really. Not in this town, anyway. Not yet.

[leah-pontarlier.livejournal.com]

The party is bigger than I thought it would be. I'm not sure if it's as big as the one at Halloween or not, the one with all the masks, but it certainly has a lot of people and more are coming in behind me.

Since I don't know what I want to do first I get out of the way which leaves me standing by the wall with a few other people. I run a hand over my hair to check that the braids I made of the front section are still holding up, without Karina to help me put up my hair I'm not sure if I did it right and the flower headed pins will stay put. I'm less worried about the loose stuff at the back.

[kira-galliard.livejournal.com]

Once I had a bit of a drink I was back onto the floor with another gent, and landed myself across the room when we were done. The place is filling up pretty quick, and I really can't help but feel fairly pleased with myself.

Take a minute to lean against the wall and catch my breath before I glance at the person nearest me. Looks like a nice enough girl, but she has a bit of a shy look and she's touching her hair like she's worried about it falling down, "Don't worry. It looks lovely."

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

And finally something gets through to Jarmyn as he backs off giving me another sad look. I pour myself another glass and then move away so I'm not hogging the mead.

I look around, seeing many faces I recognize and several I don't. i'm carefully not looking at where Jarmyn is standing with Mab and Hermia. I don't care if he dances with either of them. I don't.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Crossing the room away from Lucien (http://estdeus-innobis.livejournal.com/452344.html?thread=11358968&#t11370744); bit crowded and I'm awkward enough that aught as fine as threading through the heart of it's a bit beyond me. "Verite Belrose?" Bloody hell I've no gift for this; wish Miao were here.

"Care to speak to you on matter of Verdandi, you've a minute." Keep worst of the edge out of my voice, but my tone's still a touch grim.

[danashee.livejournal.com]

This hall is no match for the grand and shining halls of the Seelie Court, or the smaller, quiet and lovely one from my childhood, but the energy of a feast night is very much the same. I wonder what sort of dances these folk have and hope that maybe if I watch them first I will see something I recognize. I was never as fond of dancing as Orlaith but I was not so bad at it either.

It looks like people gather by the walls if they aren't dancing and so I head for a spot that has come open as a couple heads to the dancefloor.

[faithnothope.livejournal.com]

I love dancin'. An' yeah, this might be a townie party fer townie things, but I don't care. I'm goin' t'go an' dance. Hope didn't really want t'go, which is fair enough. Can't stop smilin' 'bout 'er an' Edmund, even if I tease 'er about it. So - sweet, an' yeah, don't want that fer meself but glad she's got it. Even if it does make me worry a bit about what'll happen if they want t'get married or somethin'. Cos I can't imagine not livin' with 'er.

Got a pretty dress (http://www.pinupcouture.com/product-p/pc-ginger-bl.htm) - would pick somethin' shorter an' more fitted, but that ain't so good fer dancin'. Anyway, my boobs look nice in this, an' I like the way the skirt swings.

Walk around the dance'all, 'ave a dance with a bloke who seems so pleased with 'imself 'e doesn't even notice I don't say nothin'. Still, 'e ain't bad on 'is feet. Wonder if Peter'll be 'ere. Not really 'is scene, I s'pose. Wouldn't necessarily mind seein' 'im outside of the bedroom, even if 'e's a bit borin' when 'e's not 'avin' sex.

See a really pretty girl by the wall, so I take my glass o'punch an' go stand near 'er, give 'er a smile.

[faithnothope.livejournal.com]

[from here (http://estdeus-innobis.livejournal.com/452344.html?thread=11412984#t11412984)]

"I've been walking out with a girl," but we haven't really. Only her hand. Does that make a difference to you wanting to?

Shrug wi' one shoulder.

Don't bother me, I say. Ain't like I want 'im t'be my boyfriend. Would she mind? Yer girl. Don't want some pissed off girlfriend showin' up an' 'avin' a go at me.

[tezcatl-ipoca.livejournal.com]

I think about it. She minded Syl, didn't she? - but I loved Syl. And it's not like she doesn't have sex with other people. I saw her having sex with Wanda, in the shape that married Wanda. I don't think so. Where do you want to do it? I look around. I will have to go home with the people I live with, later... - I do not have the right to call them my family, not like Alice would.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

Hermia (http://estdeus-innobis.livejournal.com/452344.html?thread=11413752#t11413752) sees that something is wrong, of course. She knows me so well. Tucking her arm through mine, we step away to a quiet part of the room where we can sit down.

"Well," I say, and I run my hand through my hair because I don't know quite how to begin. "I spoke to Micah about how Danika isn't quite what she seems... And it seems that neither is he."

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

My breath catches, and my hand grips tight around Valmont's as I feel myself grow cold inside. "What do you mean?"

Is he allied with the thing from the Tower? Dear gods, has that thing had one of its agents around Alice? My mind races with a thousand questions and a thousand more possibilities, but I make myself take a deep breath and ask quietly, "What is he?"

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

Get outside, and take a deep breath of the night air. It's pleasant, and a great reminder summer's here.

Find a spot in plain sight so 'Ri can find me, and lean against the wall.

Wonder if he's getting used to being dressed down in public yet?

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

I've mostly got the tears stopped by the time I get outside. Could hear the crowd whispering an' parting for me as I went. Tomorrow's like to be hell with everybody telling me they're sorry about it.

Doc was true to his word an' he's right there, leanin' up against the wall.

I try to talk, to let him know I'm here, but my throat feels all tight and clogged. So I cough and try again. "Hey."