{ network / all-purpose post } [slightly backdated]

[mayoralty]

[The notice goes up in the journals early Monday afternoon. Carol's learned that things can change quickly on the boat, and announcing far in advance doesn't really do you much good. Especially considering the rooms can change and the formal wear stores you need to make sure people are ready might not be there on the day in question.

Regardless, when she sees the stores there, she makes the announcement, writing neatly and carefully into the journal:]

Masquerade Ball

Hosted in the Main Ballroom on Friday, August 29th at 7 p.m.

Formal dress attire is required. All inquiries may be directed to Carol Lockwood.

[And that is that. There are several formal wear "stores" on the upper deck of the boat for all your fancy ball needs. This post can be used to talk to Carol, or to organize your dates, or to go clothes shopping - knock yourself out!]

[OOC: IF YOU WOULD LIKE CAROL, PUT HER NAME IN THE SUBJECT LINE. Otherwise, use this post to do your thing. =D]

Comments

[mayoralty]

[Oh! Help! Help is good! Especially help she doesn't have to flirt con into it *coughLogancough*]

Any help would definitely be appreciated, Sophie. The ghosts do what they can but it's hard for them to really ... grasp the concept.

[crescents]

Oh, totally. But for the most part, they're good at taking orders when you give them some direction. [ As long as they have good direction, and Sophie has a feeling Carol Lockwood has that part down pat. ]

I might also know a person or two that could help with heavy lifting.

[mayoralty]

That is always appreciated as well. I have a friend I can sweet talk into it, and my son as well, but the more hands the better.

[Sorry, Tyler. Time to put those big strong hybrid muscles to use.]

[crescents]

Excellent. [ There's a smile here, not that Carol can see it. ] This was a great idea, thank you for putting it all together.

[mayoralty]

It's my pleasure. I know things can get a little monotonous around here. Every once in a while it's good to spice things up.

Thank you for the help.

[crescents]

Of course! I love to help. I love anything that brings people together and lets them forget their troubles for a while. [ She is kind of like anti-James in that respect. He's far too severe and broody, if you ask her. ] Bonus points if we get to dress up in the process.

[mayoralty]

We used to throw a masquerade every year back home in Mystic Falls. It was my husband's favorite event of the year.

[crescents]

My parents would throw one back home, too. I don't really remember them, outside of sneaking out of my room after bedtime and peeking through the staircase, but I've been kind of trying to bring them back to continue the tradition. It's a work-in-progress.

[mayoralty]

Well, maybe I could give you a few pointers. For when you head back, at any rate.

[crescents]

Really? I'd love them.

[mayoralty]

Of course. I've been throwing events like this for years. I'd be happy to pass the knowledge along.

[It's not like it's something she can really share with Tyler.

No offense, Tyler.]

[crescents]

[ Similarly, James has like zero interest in taking up that mantle, especially with his being a superhero hunter and stuff. But it meant something to their mother, so it means something to Sophie. ]

We can maybe do lunch sometime when you're free. There's a great restaurant in the upper deck that offers nothing but fresh salads you can fix to your liking.

[mayoralty]

That sounds perfect. Lunch is usually a good time for a break anyway. I could do tomorrow or Wednesday?

[crescents]

Tomorrow works great for me. :)

[mayoralty]

Tomorrow it is. I'll see you then.

[And then magical time skip?]

[crescents]

[ magical time skip!

sophie wilder is an incredibly punctual creature when she wants to be. thus, she will be at the restaurant five or ten minutes before she has to be so carol isn't left waiting; it's just the polite thing to do. currently, sophie is in the process of eyeing the fresh greens laid out in an elegant buffet style to see if they meet her standards. ]

[mayoralty]

[Carol arrives a little early herself - she's always punctual for an appointment. It's one of the things they appreciated about her being mayor. She glances around for a moment, before her eyes fall on the young girl.

She's willing to guess that's her lunch date.

She takes a few steps closer, before stepping into her line of sight to get her attention.]

Sophie?

[crescents]

[ Sophie's smile blooms into something wider and warmer as she turns toward the other woman, because she is nothing if not sociable. Socializing is her lifeblood. ]

That'd be me!

[ She steps forward with a hand already outstretched. ] It's nice to meet you all official-like, Mrs. Lockwood.

[mayoralty]

[She shakes her hand as well before nodding.]

Carol. Please. Nice to meet you as well.

[crescents]

Carol. [ Her smile brightens a bit. ] I hope you like the place I picked. The salads are honestly amazing. Some of the best I've tried.

[ And she's been places, ok. ]

[mayoralty]

[She smiles a bit as she nods in agreement.]

It's perfect, really. And I can't say I've been here before, so something new is always good.

[crescents]

I've only been here the once. [ Sophie smiles back at her, retrieving two plates for them and offering one to Carol so they can begin. ] If I'm honest with you? I'm still kind of new to this ship. Just not ... new to the weirdness of it being possible.

[mayoralty]

[Carol nods a little as she takes the plate, eyeing the options so that she can begin to make her choices.]

I've been here a while, but I remember that the first few weeks are a little rough. It's a lot to adjust to all at once.

[crescents]

[ sophie's salad of choice ends up containing chopped strawberries, blueberries, slivered almonds, avocado, and feta cheese sprawled on top of finely chopped romaine lettuce. it looks as good as it sounds. ]

Apparently, adjusting is the only option I have right now. I couldn't get the door to open. My brother James has been here longer than I have, and he says that's common - the door not budging for most people.

[mayoralty]

[She shakes her head.]

It is. The boat keeps you until it wants to let you go. Though I'll admit I haven't really tried with mine. My son's here, and I don't really wish to leave him alone.

[Again.]