Overflow for Masq. Ball

[not_heavens_adam]

Who: Absolutely everyone
What: Masquerade~!
Where: The Golden Victory Club
When: Night of Saturday the 8th
Style: Whatever you want
Status: Open like the club's doors~

All day the Golden Victory club had been closed, the only people allowed in being the workers and helpers who were setting it up for the night's big event. Finally, at seven, the lights all turn on and the main doors open.

Leading up to the main doors is a red carpet walkway that will lead right into the main room. There, the usual club room is well illuminated with it's large bar at the back wall with plenty of drinks available for everyone. Along the walls, the club's chairs and some new loveseats are placed for anyone who would rather sit and socialize than stand or dance.

At the back, on either side of the large room, there are food tables with a wide selection, certain to please everyone. Along with these food tables are separate dessert tables. On their own table, there are three, large, cakes that anyone is welcome to dig into. (Although, they're just so pretty!)

In a few, strategic, locations there can be found baskets of masks just in case anyone needs one or wants to try and get one on a stubborn friend.

Lighthearted ball music and slow, peaceful songs lend to the atmosphere; loud enough to be heard and danced to, but soft enough that conversation is possible.

The hosts themselves, along with the staff of Temptationis Clementiae, are already there and in costume, as if welcoming their guests in for the festivities.

[OOC: Feel free to just make an initial comment with a link to the thread you're continuing here and then thread on your merry way~]

Comments

[shirleyhopeful]

[Shirley took a quick look to the side to see if there anyone there. With that, she followed Walter and took a wider step from the back. She was just happy to see that her friend guard was starting to feel relaxed and was starting to have fun.

She took another step to the side and waited his turn]

[asea]

[Relaxed, in this setting? If that's how she felt about his outlook, he wouldn't correct her. He was tense as can be on the inside. He didn't trust the crowd they were immersed in.

The dance, on the other hand, didn't require so much thought after the initial steps due to its redundant nature. Considering this, he retook the first side step to repeat the short process -- less awkwardly as the first time, if still rigid.]

[shirleyhopeful]

[She continued to follow him and took whatever steps he took. So far so good...]

It seems that you're starting to get more relaxed, Walter. I'm glad...I was worried that you might not have fun here.

[asea]

That's . . .

[He didn't slow -- couldn't slow anymore than the pace at which they were already moving.]

That's irrelevant as long as you wish to continue.

[shirleyhopeful]

Walter... [Should she say it? Well, she was trying to imply it for quite sometime and Shirley was sure that she said it once before. Oh well, she'll say it once more]

My opinion doesn't matter, all that matters is if you want to.

[asea]

[Once more wouldn't be good enough. Her words jarred him somewhat, and he came to a stop again, peering down at Shirley.]

You are the Merines -- to treat you as anything else is . . .

[Wrong.

Unacceptable.

Taboo.

That counted for her opinion, as well. His had no value next to hers.]

[shirleyhopeful]

Nothing wrong.

[She finished his sentence. She wanted to let him that it was okay to have another opinion.]

It's okay, you don't need to do everything for my sake. If you want to do something else, I'll be glad to follow along!

[Yup]

[asea]

[ . . . that wasn't anywhere near what he might have said.

Despite what she said, he needed to — wanted it.]

I do what the Merines wishes. [A beat, then with finality,] That is what I want.

[shirleyhopeful]

[Somehow, this doesn't surprise Shirley. It was going to take sometime but at least she's trying. There was a pause before she continued]

Walter, I'm more worried about you. You don't need to do anything for me, I'll be fine.

[asea]

[ . . . what was she saying?

That made no sense to him.]

But . . .

[shirleyhopeful]

But...?

[Don't make her abuse her power here!]

[asea]

It is my duty.

[Simple and to the point.

Walter lowered his voice, only audible to Shirley between the synchronous steps of the dancers and the background music.]

Back in the Waterways, I failed my mission. I won't let that happen again.

[To that end, he would also erase her concerns so she wouldn't have to do his job.

Should.

She always seemed to be concerned, though, which was a telltale sign of her benevolence.]

[shirleyhopeful]

[If he was going to be like that, she had to be firm in her response]

But you're not failing, you're doing fine. You're doing a lot better than you think you are, Walter.

[TAKE A BREAK ALREADY!]

[asea]

[THAT'S LIKE TAKING A BREAK FROM LIVING—oh.]

. . . It can be better.

[Even though it seemed impossible now and then.

But of course.]

[shirleyhopeful]

[Walter...]

You don't need to push yourself like this. [Not like the last time] You could get hurt doing something like that...

[don'tmakehersayitdon'tmakehersayitdon'tmakehersayit]

[asea]

[Ah. He'd heard something like that before.

It was becoming repetitive at this point to protest, but what she asked of him felt controversial.]

. . . That doesn't matter.

[He would die a hundred times for her as long as it kept her safe. And in Vatheon, that thought was very much a possible reality.]

[shirleyhopeful]

...But... [There was no use talking to him was there? Hm...well, it looks like she doesn't have much of a choice!]

Walter, I want you take a break. That's an order.

[asea]

[—that was the sharpest tone she'd taken with him yet in all the time they'd been in Vatheon. The first, if he excluded the time she was in Merines garb.

As an order, it should have been satisfying.

But mostly, he was bewildered, and it actually showed.]

What?

[shirleyhopeful]

I don't want you to worry about your job as a guardian for a week or anything like it. I want you to take a break for a week, Walter.

[Was this really the right thing to do? She wasn't sure and she did feel bad but...she did want Walter to live just for himself...]

[asea]

But, Merines—

[No, she'd already repeated herself thrice. There was no defying the Merines' firm decision.

With a pause, tensing, he gave a curt bow of his head.]

. . . understood.

["Take a break for a week."

How did that even work?]