party post } { fool and king, ghoul and ghost

[mayoralty]

On the evening of the twenty-ninth, the ballroom on the main deck of the boat is decked out in lavish black and gold, thanks to Carol and Sophie, and the assistance of the very strong men they enlisted to help (thank you, boys). It's been a while since Carol has thrown a full out ball, and she liked the chance to stretch her event planning limbs again, even if those attending are mostly the ghost robots in their cater waiter wear.

A soft music is playing over the guests as they enter. As they pass through the threshold, there's a table with simple masks for them to choose from, in case they've forgotten their's. Once they pass through the main archway, they'll find their way to the large dance space where the ghost robot band is sitting, because live music is so much better than a recording, and they actually don't sound half-bad, all things considered. They also take requests, so feel free to tell them that song where you always wondered what it would sound like with a full orchestral backing. There's a large, expansive dance floor in the middle, and you're welcome to get out there and shake your groove thing whenever you see fit.

Tables with food line the far left wall of the room, as well as clusters of tables for the guests to sit when they so choose. There's also an open bar nestled into the far corner, for all your alcoholic needs. There are also plenty of dark corners to slip into, if you don't want anyone to see what you're doing, however the narration suggests watching those dark corners carefully. Rabbit holes lurk in pretty much every shadowed area of the ballroom and while they won't always drop you into a strange location of your choosing, there's a high chance they will. There's probably a high turnover of people arriving back in the ballroom, looking like they've gone five rounds with a bull.

Probably because they have.

The boat seem to want to promote this event as much as possible. While not everyone loves a good ball, some non-attenders may suddenly find themselves in attendance, completely dressed and no idea of how they got there. Trying to leave? Might not go so well either. For some, socializing isn't so much a choice as a punishment, but there are probably plenty of people to help you have a good time.

Or you could go on a trip to Narnia. One never really knows.

[OKAY BALL IS GO sorry I was late getting this up. Rabbit Holes are to be used at your discretion, but if you need suggestions or want me to randomize something for you, just shoot me a PM/private plurk/ping me (iluvroadrunner6) and I will give you a scenario. Otherwise, mix, mingle and have fun with all the pretty formal wear. o7 Actionspam/prose/whatever floats your boat for this, it was easier to just write up the top part in prose.]

Comments

carol lockwood }

[mayoralty]

If you're looking for the host of this event, you'll have to find somewhere to catch her before she moves on to her next group to socialize with. Carol is usually in her element in a party, being the social butterfly she was raised to be, and this is especially evident at a party she's thrown. Those from Mystic Falls will notice that this event isn't all that different from those, rabbit holes aside, but even then, it's probably pretty normal.

It wouldn't be a Mystic Falls party without a little life-threatening drama after all.

The one thing that is slightly different from a Mystic Falls party, however, (and probably not something that most of them would comment on) is that Carol doesn't spend the entirety of the evening with a drink in her hand. There's a glass of champagne here and there, but for the most part her drink choices are non-alcoholic. This isn't to say she wouldn't turn one down, but she's trying not to be the lush of the party.

Sometimes fresh starts can be a good thing. Even if your fresh starts are on a cruise to nowhere.

Still, feel free to catch her attention as you see fit. She'd be more than happy to talk to you.

Tyler Lockwood }

[lockwood]

Tyler's never been one for big parties, really. But he's used to going to them, because Mystic Falls had a party every other week it felt like sometimes. And his mother was the one throwing them, like she used to be the one throwing them in Mystic Falls. And he thought he'd never get to go to another one of her parties ever again.

He tries not to focus on that but it nags at the back of his head sometimes, whatever time he has here with her is temporary. Eventually he'll go back home and he'll be alone again.

But for tonight he'll be kind of lingering around on the sidelines, nursing a drink in a nice suit. He's just glad things seem to be going without too many hitches, that's what's most important. He's not going to be going out of his way to dance or anything but if you talk to him you might be able to convince him.

John Young }

[darkplace]

[john young is here even though going to a ball would not be something he'd think to do ordinarily. he is so used to surviving and only surviving that he never thinks to do anything else. the ship is different. john isn't being hunted by ultra here. as far as he knows, there is no ultra on the ship, and part of him wonders if something is going to happen there (the last party he went to, it ended up going to hell pretty quickly), and he thinks about the people that he's met and how he wouldn't want anything to happen like at that last party, which is why he was going to show up on his own (maybe not in a suit but y'know something nicer than his patented lucky jacket) when the ship takes matters into its own 'hands'.

he is in a suit that the ship threw him in. he cleans up very nicely like damn boi. john walks through the crowd of people, socializing a little, keeping an eye on things as much as he can. it's always hard for him to relax completely even when he looks as casual as can be.

at one point, he floats a nonalcholic drink over into his hand (never again alcohol!!!!!) because he can, and he knows he doesn't have to hide his powers here and he's going to take advantage of that.]

Danny and James Wilder } pick either or both!

[fissures]

[ the wilder men are essentially here because their little sister (she is all of twenty and would protest being called 'little' but the narration digresses) has all but dragged them to the event, and they have a hard time saying no to her. it's precisely why they helped with what heavy lifting was needed on the days leading up to this one, and it's why they're using the suits that she picked out just for them. they haven't put on their masks yet, so feast on that.

most of all, it's why they are ... here at all, when socializing is not exactly james or danny's forte.

so you will likely spot them in some corner, either separately or together. two very tall men dressed in impeccable suits. looking a little bit unsure about life. ]

Elena Gilbert }

[resuming]

[ elena always finds something to smile about even when life doesn't necessarily give you reasons to; it's around that time you start to make your own reasons. in this case, it's something as simple as seeing tyler reunited with his mom, and having mrs. lockwood host an event similar to those they'd have back home. it's as close to mystic falls as elena is going to get nowadays. it's why she didn't need too much prodding to show up, and it's also why she'll mingle, dance, and find it in her to have a good time where she otherwise might've skipped it.

of course, that doesn't stop her from slipping away from the crowd at some point to get some fresh air outside near the water, but overall, she'll be a good sport, and you can find her during her break or anywhere else throughout the evening.

... but first, she's going to be by the table with the masks, trying to pick one out. decisions are hard. ]

[peacecraft]

You clean up well.

[ flute of sparkling cider in hand, relena falls into place at john's right, watching as some of the dancers twirl about on the floor. ]

Don't worry. [ she says with a smile, wiggling the flute a little (but not enough to spill any of its contents). ] It's non-alcoholic.

[crescents]

"Am I allowed to declare it a hit already or is that jumping the gun?"

Sophie asks this teasingly as she sidles up to Carol Lockwood's side. Just as she had suspected, the woman has impeccable taste and she did not disappoint. It's almost everything she would expect a masquerade to be like - well, if you ignore a lot of the ghosts and holograms, which Sophie kind of doesn't.

It adds a bit of character to the whole thing, if you ask her. No one can say they've ever been to a party exactly like this one.

i keep my promises :')

[resuming]

Playing hooky? [ yeah, elena noticed you floating that drink over, john.

there's a smile as she says it, since she's aware his powers are not something he would otherwise use so freely - not when he is persecuted because of them back in his home world. it's refreshing, to see him something close to relaxed. her experience with balls are not the best, and neither is her track record with parties in general, but one can hope nothing too terrible will happen.

right? ]

jaaaaames duh.

[crescents]

[ sophie is so proud.

so, so proud. and also a little bit nervous. she'd thought the masquerade ball would be a fantastic idea - that is, until she found out johnny was in the boat, too. now she's trying to figure out how to best do damage control before anything's even happened. and maybe it won't! maybe she'll get lucky. but for now, she's weirdly enough hoping her brothers will go early. ]

Having fun? [ don't mind sophie, james, she's just going to fix your tie a little and fuss over your suit, nbd. ]

[aleksandar]

This is an Alek Hale that has never met Tyler Lockwood.

It is still an Alek Hale that's a werewolf, lived in Chicago most of his whole life, and boasts of an impressive appetite, though. It is also an Alek that wouldn't be caught dead in one of these things, but the boat had other plans - going so far as to dress him up for the occasion, as though there had been anything wrong with what he was wearing.

(There was, Alek. There was.)

He's standing not too far from where Tyler is, piling food onto his plate until it's all but stacked. The man has got priorities. Now all he needs is a drink, but he's eyeing the ghost caterers skeptically. "Did they serve your drink, too?" he asks Tyler, if only because he's the only one currently around.

angel }

[convents]

Angel's there in a suit and tie he didn't pick out for himself, having arrived not entirely of his own accord. It was presented to him when Cordelia informed him he was going with her and took Connor from his arms, ushering him into the bathroom to change. She was already decked out to the nines, giving him little room to take her image in before the bathroom door was slammed in his face. When he emerged, she had his son dressed up in a little suit, draping a towel over his shoulder before handing Connor back over, muttering something about spit up stains and returns. (He refrained from reminding her that there was no point in spoiled returns when everything was free.)

The last time he was at one of these things, it was in Sunnydale at Buffy's prom. The last function that school saw before graduation and its inevitable destruction. Good riddance.

"One day you'll be going to your prom," he told the toddler as he bounced him in the careful crook of his arm. "Hopefully at a high school that's not sitting on the mouth of hell."

Connor squealed at him, the music not bothering him as much as Angel feared it would, and reached for his father's mask. It was tied loosely and slid easily off his face. One end of it went into Connor's mouth, rendering it a lost cause. Which was okay, because the vampire wasn't too thrilled about wearing it in the first place.

/POUNCES

[powertostand]

[bonnie would not ordinarily wear a dress like this one, but the ship had other matters in mind. she makes a face as she stares down at herself, and okay, she looks really good in it, but still. a ship shouldn't be allowed to dress you up like a doll.

when she sees elena, she makes a direct line over to her walking with a smile on her face as she sees elena stand over the table with the masks on it. it's been a little while since she's been on the ship, and it is very good to see her best friend again, okay? ...even if she just saw her back home, but this version of her best friend because she worries and loves every single elena gilbert in existence, okay?]

Elena! You look... seriously amazing! Did you pick out that dress, because A+. Very good choice. [bonnie's smile brightens as she stares at her, and she really does look all grown up in that dress. it is hard to remember what it was like when they were tinies and could only imagine wearing such fancy ball gowns and dresses.] What a time to walk through that door again and right... into the middle of a ball.

Jessica Hamby }

[cheeto]

Jessica has never been to something this fancy before. When she was human she was homeschooled and her daddy never let her go to things like dances -- let alone anything like prom. The nicest thing she had ever been to was Arlene's wedding. Well, when she admitted as much to Sookie her friend had insisted on getting outfits for the two of them and going.

Who was she to argue with that?

Besides, this way she can keep an eye on any vampires (she's pretty sure there's gotta be other ones on the ship) who might get any smart ideas about Sookie's blood.

For now though she's filtering through the crowds with a broad, elated smile on her face. She made sure to eat earlier so she doesn't get hit with the need to feed during the party.

SCREE

[resuming]

Bonnie?

[ bonnie bennett, you are the most beautiful sight for these sore eyes. elena's smile goes from half-hearted to full-blown grin in less than two point five seconds, making her way over to her best friend and all but throwing her arms around her. she has missed you, bonnie. not just on the boat - bonnie is no longer at teleios either, and elena had been hoping. the kind of hope that's quiet and doesn't speak out loud, just in case it doesn't come true. ]

No, I'd had another one in mind but the boat had other plans. [ which is probably for the best, as elena had gone for something understated without looking much into it, and caroline would've likely killed her for it. ] You look amazing. [ she grabs both of bonnie's hands and lifts them up to get a better look at her, her broad smile only widening. it all but splits across her face. ] You have no idea how good it is to see you.

Re: angel }

[visiongirl]

Cordelia barely went to her own prom -- her parents had lost all their money and no matter how she worked she still couldn't afford that dress. Luckily, Xander had come to her rescue and bought it for her. Not that that makes up for cheating on her or her getting skewered in the aftermath but at least that story ended on a better note than it could have. As it was, she and dances didn't always go so well. There was the time she was kidnapped by Marnie the invisible girl (okay, so she gets she deserved that one in retrospect) and she'll never quite forget Slayerfest 99 (and after all that neither she nor Buffy won Homecoming queen, that's the real tragedy here) but she figures hey the ship isn't on a hellmouth so what's the worst that could happen?

Besides, she's not even going to have to return this outfit. Being on a ship where everything is free is kind of awesome. She wears her hair in loose curls to complete the look.

But she's also not going alone -- which is why she dragged Angel with her. Besides, it's good for him to get out and actually mingle with people during the hours the sun is away. And they don't have Lorne or Fred or anyone they trust enough to watch Connor here so of course the baby comes with them. That's totally normal, right?

Cordelia laughs a little as she watches Connor chew on his father's mask. "Guess he didn't think that was the best look on you, huh?"

;)

[thine]

[james wilder is hiding.

he has a drink in his hand, and he is outside near the water, half hidden against the wall and the open doors that lead out of the ballroom when he sees her step out through the door, looking as gorgeous as ever. james remembers the first time that he ever saw her all dressed up how beautiful she looks then as beautiful as she looks when she is first waking up, dressed in her pajamas too, breathtaking.

james has been worried because he knows her so well. it's a helpless thing, and his voice is soft when he speaks from behind, wondering if she even wants to see him after what he had to say. if it'd be a painful reminder when she is in another world altogether away from her brother, but his voice comes anyway, quietly from his spot behind her.]

You look... beautiful.

sookie stackhouse }

[waitress]

[ sookie's attendance is a bit of a reckless decision on her part, but since when did either of the stackhouse siblings show restraint when it came to playing things cautiously when there was good reason to throw that caution to the wind? this time, it was her pseudo ward of a baby vampire having never been to one of these before and sookie's insistence that they go. they might never get the chance to do so again, and after what they went through down in the depths of the vampire authority, they deserved to have some fun for a change. fun without danger or threats to their lives — though sookie being here in and of itself could be just that, should any vampires decide to take a good whiff of the air and catch the tantalizing scent of faerie in the air.

she knew how irresistible her blood was and how good she smelled to them, but she didn't care. honestly, she was tired of being vampire bait and prize. she almost did away with the parts of her that were fae, but thought better of it before it was too late. this was who she was. she was fae, she could hear thoughts and shoot light from her hands, she could do magic when needed, and pop open portals as easy as a tab on a can of soda. and she was tired of being afraid of that, of letting what she was dictate what her choices were.

fuck whatever was left of bill compton and fuck being fae, she was going to enjoy this goddamn party if it tried to kill her or not. ]

Mind handing me one of those glasses? [ hello stranger, sookie will just be pointing to one of the plastic cups to your left. she's aiming for punch at the moment, but give her a bit and she'll start hitting the booze. ]

[convents]

"I think of it more as doing his old man a favor."

Angel tugs on one of the mask's strings, but Connor refuses to let it budge, clamping his gums down on the edge he's got in his mouth, the tiny fingers of one hand fisting the nose piece through one of the eye-holes. The mask is no longer his father's. It's his new, velvety teething ring — a teething mask.

[thine]

[oh, sophie, you have every reason to be nervous given the fact that johnny is on his way at this very moment.

james is unaware of what reason she has to be nervous. he hasn't met johnny yet, but he is here in his suit with a glass in hand filled with alcohol in it. he brings it up to his mouth, taking a sip from it before he looks down at her. his little sister looks so very grown and beautiful (so similar to their mother, how she looked whens he was alive and would attend these parties), and it gives him feelings. ;;;;;;;;;;]

You and Carol put together an amazing ball, Sophie. [he looks down at her with a tiny, amused, fond smile when she fixes his tie and fusses over his suit like that. how adorable, sophie .-.] ... is my suit that much of a mess?

[resuming]

[ it's not that she doesn't want to see him; she has no reason to be upset with him and he strikes her as a good person faced with very lousy choices.

she's just not sure that he'd want to see her, and after everything she learned about the world she could've ended up in had teleios not gotten to her first, she could hardly blame him. she isn't the elena that he knows and remembers, isn't the elena that lived through every ordeal along with him, but she feels remnants of guilt for that person's actions in many ways.

still, she smiles softly at the compliment, looking down at the dress the ship decided she wear. ] Thank you. [ she eyes him a bit curiously, her elbows still propped on the railing before her. ] You didn't strike me as the kind of person that would want to go to a ball.

[crescents]

[ look, if she pretends everything is fine and there is nothing to worry about, clearly that makes it true. right?

whether it does or it doesn't, she's going to do her damn best. she goes to theater school, she can put on a performance if she chooses to. and she loves james, but the less he knows about the whole johnny affair, the better. (it's still so weird to see him drinking alcohol. not that he can't, it's just weird that he does now when she's used to something else.) ]

Honestly, I can't take much credit for this one. It was all Carol. [ but she'll beam at the compliment all the smile, angling her head upward to smile wider at him. ] It's not hopeless, but there is always room for improvement, James.

[darkplace]

You look beautiful yourself, Relena.

[john turns to her with a tiny smirk, and then he shakes his head with a tiny laugh when she wiggles the flute in her hand. he lifts up his own flute toward hers as if half in toast, wriggling the flute that is also filled with sparkling cider.]

So is mine. [the tiny smirk on his face widens into something of a smile.] But like I said before, you deserve to relax too more than most people even so if you wanted to have an alcoholic drink too, I wouldn't tell.

[bowery]

[ Hi, John.

You're pretty. Selin likes pretty things that clean up very nicely, such as yourself. It's why she will mosey her way on over to him, a smirk playing on her lips as she watches him on motion for a moment. He's got an interesting story - several, perhaps - rattling around inside of him. She can tell. ]

That's a nifty little trick you've got there.

because you are *perfect*

[darkplace]

[john smiles, a helpless, warm smile, at the sound of her voice.

he turns toward her, intent on saying something teasing in response to that except the moment that he turns around, john is caught by the sight of her in that absolutely gorgeous dress that clings to her body and the way she looks in it. words are completely forgotten. thoughts leave him, and he doesn't even remember what she just said or the fact that he just floated the drink over into his hand.

the only words that escape him are:]

...wow. [slight pause before he swallows, shakes his head, stares in amazement.] Wow.

You look... gorgeous.

[visiongirl]

"It is a better look on him than you," Cordelia concedes with a small smile. Masks turning into teething rings is probably what you have to expect out of dragging babies to things like this.

Small price to pay, really.