{ 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]

[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.]

[crescents]

[ Sophie grows quiet, understanding why Carol would feel that way. It's how any parent would feel about their child, she imagines. Well, any good parent. ]

In that case, I don't blame you for not wanting to leave. I have a feeling he probably thinks the same way you do.

[ Family is everything, after all. ]

[mayoralty]

[Oh, that and then some. She worries for what would happen on this ship if she ever disappeared and Tyler was stuck here alone.]

I'm sure he does. But we've been in this together for a long time. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

[crescents]

[ sophie smiles a little, her chest aching with a longing she could not possibly give name to, even as she pushes it away. ] He's really lucky to have you.

[mayoralty]

Oh, I'd say it's more the other way around. I haven't always been the best mother, but he somehow wound up better, despite it.

[crescents]

[ sophie shakes her head. ] Trust me, whatever's happened between the two of you, there's nothing like having your mom.

[mayoralty]

[She nods a bit at that.]

I'm sure there isn't.

[And she knows that Tyler feels the same way, wanting her to just be there, because of what happened with Klaus. Even if she only gets him for a short time on the boat, it's good for him to at least know she's safe for a little while.]