The Harried Maître D’ returns with a dusty bottle of something old and French. “I appreciate your words, Lord Gazter,” says Ginneon. With every glass filled, he raises his own.
“You’ve heard my story, which I believe doubles as a confession. Let us drink, then, to the sacred rite of Hallowmas, and to the truth in stories.” He sips, and his face returns to its natural, mirthful expression. “Who’s next?”
“Ms Hysaro, when I first mentioned your sundry roles in our fair city, you seemed to have more to say on the matter. Might I inquire further?”
"Hm? Oh, just a minor little detail." Sara answers a bit sheepishly, finding her quibble a bit more silly delivered so long after the relevant statement. Still, she gives her thoughts as requested. "I’d not personally consider myself one of the greatest philanthropists of Fallen London - I’ve only just started independent work this year, so at best I’d be promising - but I appreciate the compliment nonetheless."
Her embarrassment fades, and she gives a bit of a chuckle. "At least, I hope I’m not already one of Fallen London’s greatest philanthropists. That bar ought to be set a little higher, in my opinion, to give charitable individuals something to strive for and be inspired by."
“You may know the old saying, ‘She who saves a life saves the world entire.’ It only follows that she who teaches one to read makes the whole world literate. At any rate, it’s time better spent than studying mushroom wine and getting drunk on yachts.”
Appolonia sips the French Surface wine.
"Maybe when they serve dessert we can have a sweet wine from my homeland. A sweet Bavarian eiswein, from grapes let to freeze on the vine. That would be fitting to follow our discussion of frost moths."
Her gaze drifts to the dance floor, and she frowns at the sight of a person dancing energetically and falling.
Nothing wrong with a bit of variety in the styles of music played, but she can’t help but hope they will play another waltz soon.
Lord Gazter takes drink from his glass and as he happened to look up at Appolonia, he noticed the longing in Appolonia’s eyes. He smiles and places down his now empty glass.
"Would you care for a dance Ms. Ravenscroft?"
Appolonia smiles.
"I would be honored, Lord Gazter. I enjoy dancing very much."
It takes her a moment to rise, since the chairs are packed rather close, but she is soon standing.
Her nightgown-inspired dress hangs loose on her thin frame, and reaches the floor.
While her costume would be best served by bare feet, she has clearly yielded to convention in this regard, for when she takes a step towards him, there is a brief glimpse of delicately embroidered white silk evening slippers appropriate for an evening event or ball.
Lord Gazter delicately takes Appolonia’s hand to his and then leads her towards the dance floor in an elegant and refined manner.
"Oh, they appear to be playing some kind of country folk dance. Do you know this dance? It appears … not unlike a polka or maybe a jig, I guess."
"We could try it. Or wait for something more familiar."
(ooc: Per Dance Floor thread, they are presently playing square dance music…)
Lethifer finally, inevitably, spills some of his wine as he hurriedly untangles his limbs enough to call out, giddy as an urchin on free Lumps day:
"I am decided on my token, fair Laura! I would see you dance the square!" He waves to Lord Gazter with a wide, shining smile. "With elegant, now, sir!"
"Mr. Lethifer, I will gladly dance the square to please you both. A bit of merry folk dance shall do wonders to shine a bit of Oktoberfest into the dark of Hallowmass, but we face a mathematical puzzle! They say they need groups of exactly four. They have three. To add two, we must find three more, and make eight."
edited by Appolonia on 11/4/2016
“Quite true.” Lord Gazter looks around the table. “Are there any others here who would wish to join us?”
“A merry song! Reminds me of the grape harvest in Bordeaux.” Ginneon stands and sways - his petals fluttering merrily, his feet tapping out the rhythm. “That company has found their fourth. Now we just need ours.”
As the trio of new faces fell upon the table, Nell’s cocksure smile shifted, almost imperceptibly. The first law of the hunt is to know your quarry, and while she had learned what she could of her table mates, research on the many other guests had been less thorough. So, she sat back as thegentlemen pounced on their chance to dance, and accepted both good wine and a good flower’s tale with good graces; all the while, her peligin eyes bounced between the three men with predatory focus. And here, her patience presents an opportunity of her own.
She speaks up in the same fae tones as always; if one wasn’t looking for it, they might not have even noticed as she sized up the new arrivals. "Look no further, sweetlings, you’ve found your fourth right here! Why, back in the Viennese halls they’d been dancing these steps for centuries by the time London got a hold of them." Her voice turns suddenly solemn as she turns to her tablemates, but a puckish grin and theatrical bow make clear her humorous intent. "Lady Byron, Lady Von Ravenscroft, and good Lord, I do swear on my honor as a Hunter of Monsters to be a partner worthy of your company~"
edited by Nell Evangeline on 11/5/2016
(ooc: Just a heads up that I won’t have internet access tonight. Assume Appolonia dances with tipsy enthusiasm and natural grace, and feel free to proceed without me chiming in on the thread. She is light on her feet and a trained dancer. She is not wearing a corset so she can participate in several dances without needing to rest. She follows the lead of whoever she is paired with (so your descriptions will be fine), and she is equally happy to dance with a man or a woman. I’ll happily do 1-on-1 scenes with folks when I’m back on my computer tomorrow to catch up on private conversations while dancing. She enjoys both country dances and more formal dances, like waltzes.)
Lethifer appears relieved when someone else volunteers, and enjoys a celebratory canapé. "I cannot dance," he explains to the table in a conspiratorial stage-whisper. "Is dangerous. I have six left feet. Besides, one must guard the table. I have hearing there is a thief about."
Sara contemplates Ginneon’s recited saying thoughtfully. "Ah, I see where that is coming from. A difference is a difference, and means the world to someone." She follows Appolonia’s gaze to the dance floor and tilts her head quizzically. Not a style she had expected to hear or see during the event. She gives this dance a pass, not informed or intrigued enough to give it a try. Perhaps when she is more inebriated. "I thank you for guarding the table, Lethifer - I am off to bring in a friend. Be back in a little bit; shouldn’t take more than a few minutes."
edited by Sara Hysaro on 11/5/2016
[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]Ginneon takes the table arrangement and transforms it into festive mushroom crowns. Smiling, he bestows them on Nell and Appolonia. "There. Much more like a Surface harvest dance." Ginneon offers Nell his arm amiably. "Master Monster Hunter, no need to stake your honor - your company is sure to be pleasure enough. And it will be a delight for us to dance with a Viennese pro." [/color]
[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]
[/color]
[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]Nell, Appolonia, Lord Gazter, and Ginneon head to the floor, and dance as merrily as rats at a cheese rolling. Nell expertly leads several dances - her companions following suit. After several festive numbers, the party returns panting to the table, and the musicians slow to a waltz.[/color]
"Now for that dance that was promised." Lord Gazter says as he offers his hand to Appolonia.
Appolonia and Lord Gazter step out onto the dance floor with an air of nobility. Appolonia’s hand is delicately taken into Lord Gazter’s and his other lightly placed upon her waist. His smile was genial, and his manner welcoming.
The musician ready their instruments and begin to play. The pair take their first steps and begun to waltz. Lord Gazter’s movements were deliberate, and reserved, yet vibrant. Step and step and yet another. Yet as they continued to dance his movements changed ever so slightly. Another step and another. The way in which he danced teased the possibility of scandal. A twirl then back again to a step and a step. It plays with ones mind. Was that movement too close? A dip and back. Was that dip too deep?. Yet they were refined. Never too far, but almost scandalous. A step and another.
Finally the music fades and the dancing ceases and Lord Gazter and Appolonia return to table 5.
Lord Gazter offers Appolonia her chair before returning to his own. "You are an extrodinary dancer Appolonia." Lord Gazter eyes seem to twinkle as he talks. "We must do this again some time." He smiles charmingly towards Appolonia.
Lord Gazter asks one of the waiters to refill his glass and after his glass is refilled and he had taken a sip he turned back towards the other guests at the table. "So where were we, dear friends?"