hadriel_logs | come with me to the dance floor

Entry tags:

come with me to the dance floor

Who: OPEN
What: Henry and Emily throw a surprise birthday party for Maketh. Come celebrate!
Where: Delight's bar.
When: December 1st, all night.
Warnings: Drunkenness, probably...

By the time that evening arrives, everything is in place ready for the celebration. All invitations have been issued. Strips of fabric in all colours hang around the room like streamers, and a paper banner that looks like it was taken out of an illuminated manuscript declares Happy birthday, Maketh from where it is pinned above a table. Upon the neat tablecloth sits a large cake, and by it an assortment of food, including a pile of buns filled with surprise fillings. There is tequila set out, waiting to be opened and poured, and many shot glasses lines up ready. At the far end there is a space for gifts. Music plays, upbeat and energetic.

All that is missing is the birthday girl in question.

Fortunately the wait is short.

Henry shoots Emily a quick message to let her know of their impending arrival as he walks with Maketh along the final stretch towards Delight's bar. With a grin, he pushes open the door and steps through, holding it for Maketh so that her view, and everyone's view of her, is unhindered as she enters.

Finally, the party begins.

(OOC: It's free reign, so make your own starters and go wild! Maketh's positive CR will have received invites, but party crashers are more than welcome to join in.)

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[Arrival - closed to Henry]

[In all honesty, she's forgotten the significance of the date entirely. There are other, larger concerns, and Maketh rarely celebrates her birthday. At best it's an occasion to drink and she can invent those readily enough.

But tonight Henry has something he wants her to see - he was frustratingly vague about the whole thing - and Maketh steps through the door with a frown, still wearing her uniform.

Then she stops dead. And stares.]

Henry, what...what is this?

[Party - open]

[She's largely gotten over the shock, but the whole thing is still -- a lot. Maketh stands a little to the side, watching everyone and smiling. There's a drink in her hand. It might be the first time you've seen her genuinely relax.]

Shots

[Well, it would be a shame to waste that lovely tequila, wouldn't it?

Come drink with Maketh. It'll be fun! You might end up with an awful hangover in the morning that makes you wish for death, but that's a small risk.

Maketh finishes a shot with a flourish, grinning.]

Enjoying yourself?

[Wildcard]

[Hit me!

[Henry doesn't think he's seen Maketh look quite so surprised before. Throughout the month as he planned this with Emily, he's wondered if she might have suspected him of making a fuss of her birthday. Apparently not.

He only grins wider as he releases the door.]

Thought you that no one would celebrate your birthday? 'Tis all for you.

[He gives her a light, playful shove between her shoulder blades to encourage her forward.]

Go on.

[ Probably the last person you wanted to see on your birthday huh Maketh, but don't worry! Will's birthday present to you is that he's not going to cause a scene! Instead, he's as merry as Will can be, almost smiling and reasonably with it.

Will walked over to Maketh, slowly so she could see that he was coming and choose to avoid him is she wished. He had a drink of his own in one hand and something wrapped in newspaper in the other. A gift perhaps? ]

Is it safe to stand with you, or am I going to end up wearing that?

[ Smirking as he gestured towards the drink she was nursing. He wouldn't put it past her to swirl him with it if she didn't wish his company. ]

I heard it was your birthday, so I came to wish you many happy returns.

[Maketh straightens her jacket, face flush. She hadn't--well.] All of this...?

[There's music and food, and drinks lined up neatly in rows.

She turns in a slow circle, and smiles.]

Brother. You've been scheming.

[Maketh, though not yet drunk, is feeling pleasantly buzzed and less inclined to yell than earlier in today. Even at Will, who has made a habit of trying her patience. She narrows her eyes and takes a deliberate sip.] I don't throw drinks, Will Graham.

[She might kick him somewhere painful, but Maketh likes to think she has class.]

It is, yes.

[To her great surprise, she's survived another year.]

I had a suspicion you wouldn't.

[ Coming to stand by her side, his back up against the wall. Will took a drink from his glass and then awkwardly moved the item in his hand. ]

I come in peace. Even brought my own white flag so to say.

[ He handed the object to Maketh, a little hesitantly and with good reason to be! ]

Just ... Promise me you won't use it against me?

[ It was a very sharp, very small yet wonderfully crafted knife. The handle had a stags face carved into it, Will had been up most night carving the image in. He found it distracted his mind and had been keeping him out of trouble for the last few weeks. ]

[Henry takes great joy in Maketh's reaction. That he can do this for her matters -- these small moments, far removed from the hardships of their circumstances, renew his spirits.]

So I have.

[He replies with laughter in his voice, proud of it.]

And with much assistance from Emily. Nor need you be concerned about the cake -- Pell kindly offered to make it when I asked his advice.

crystal kay ft several people - private dancers

[Maketh sets her drink aside with a frown, taking the knife. It's well balanced. She's never seen anything quite like it before. Whatever she expected from Will, this wasn't among the number.] You made this?

[Maketh brings her hand to her mouth, covering her smile. Nonetheless, her eyes are shining.] Hmm. Well. You--this is wonderful.

[She barely knows what to say.]

PRESENT ✠ closed to Maketh;
[Later in the evening, after Maketh has had plenty of time to mingle with her well-wishers, Henry seeks her out with a particular purpose in mind. He has yet to give her her present, and it is best gifted before either of them is drunk – or too drunk, at least – due to its size. It's not something he wishes to see lost.

He is sentimental about family.

Reaching out, he places a hand on her upper arm to catch her attention.]

Maketh. If I might demand your attention for but a moment?

PARTYING ✠
[It is not all that often that Henry lets go and indulges, but tonight he is committed to forgetting all else – the shadows on his mind, the responsibilities on his shoulders – aside from celebrating. It is a night for revelry.]

Drinks;
[Wine is Henry's normal preference, but tonight, in honour of Maketh, tequila is the only acceptable choice of drink. At this point, he associates it with their drinking games too, and it almost seems a shame to lose that additional element. Which is why he ends up pouring extra, then looks over his shoulder.]

I would propose a challenge.

Cake;
[Birthday cake is yet to become a tradition in the fourteenth century – and their idea of 'cake' is somewhat different – which is why it holds a certain fascination for Henry. Not that he didn't inspect it when Pell first delivered it, but inebriation has a way of lending a new perspective. And it goes without saying that now it can actually be tasted too. When he finds that he is not the only one drawn to the cake, he asks:]

Had you some yet?

[As though it were a partial marvel.]

Dancing;
[Some day it will be Henry's turn to teach others medieval dancing. But tonight, with this music and this mood, he proves himself a quick study as he improves on what he's already picked up of modern styles. Make no mistake: he is made to be in motion. The calibre of knight that he is and his natural aptitude for physical arts have a big impact. He has an effortless smoothness of movement, light-footed grace and acute instinct for timing and rhythm. Feel free to come and join him.]

WILDCARD ✠
[Drunk piggyback wrestling though. No? No??? Hit me with anything you like!]

[Maketh turns with a smile and - impulsively - bumps arm against Henry's. Why not? It's a party, something done in her honor. She's surrounded by people who care about her and everyone is just happy, at peace with the music and the drinking. No matter how mad Hadriel might get, this moment is theirs.

All because of Henry and Emily. What a thought.]

You may. I'm only admiring your handiwork.

[Her happiness is more than enough reward for the effort that went into this.]

Enjoy yourself tonight. That is all I ask.

[Henry laughs at the bump, then smiles himself.]

Allow me to provide you with something new to admire.

[From one of his pockets he retrieves a small box, which he then presses into her hand.]

Happy birthday, sister.

[Inside is a gold signet ring bearing the Percy lion, brought into Hadriel from his world and only recently returned to him. Though it looks new and unworn he has had it in his possession for many years, and it holds special meaning to him. But he feels this is right. He had it made as a gift for family and finally it will fulfil that purpose, even if in an unexpected way. It is something that she can keep on her as a reminder that they will always be family, whatever should become of them. It is a declaration and a promise in physical form.]

I could hardly refuse. [Just look at all of this! And they are due for something fun, aren't they? Maketh runs a hand through her hair, ducking her head a little.] I would have worn something more appropriate if I'd known.

[Her day to day uniform is hardly the sort of thing one wears to a party. Still, she's grinning as she says it.]

You will dance with me, of course.

Oh?

[Maketh takes the box curiously, wondering what he might give her. Something important, if she knows Henry. He does nothing lightly.

The ring feels heavy in her palm. And the image--]

Oh, Henry.

[Her voice is hushed, wondering. It's the same symbol she carved into her gauntlets. The same lion Henry carries on his shield. Maketh closes her hand around the ring and holds it tight. And if her eyes are suddenly wet, well. The lights are dimmed. He probably won't see.]

You do me a great honor, brother.

[Dorian has had a few glasses of wine already of course. He's cheerful and a little buzzed, at the pleasantly warm part of the evening. He's not making a point to see Henry, but he's also not avoiding him. Avoiding is for people who feel awkward.]

[So when Henry turns around with one of those little glasses in their hand he laughs]

A challenge? You do love those, don't you Henry?

[He straightens up then, regarding the man with a smirk]

Very well, I accept.

[Perhaps he should have suggested that she change, but there would have been no way to do so without arousing suspicion. He's sure her uniform will survive the night.

Henry inclines his head in easy acquiescence.]

That is acceptable.

[ He watched her move the blade in her hands, getting a feel for it. It made him feel a little nervous, anxious even, as she studied it with both her touch and her eyes. ]

I did. Well, most of it I did. The blade I found in the Colosseum, broken and discarded. I sharpened it up and fitted it with an old block of wood I found... The deer head was just because I didn't actually know who you liked... Went with something I knew instead.

[ She hates it. She's going to tell him off for having a weapon, she's going to stab him in the face or something. ]

If you don't want it I'm sure someone else could find a use for it. It's nothing special...

[ It was his way of saying thank you for putting up with him, for helping him, saving him on various occasions. ]

[Henry can see well enough that Maketh understands the full depth of the gesture, and hear that she is moved in her words. There is no truer joy than knowing that it will hold special meaning for her going forward.]

I doubt that it is something you do -- sealing correspondence with wax. Regardless, it serves to mark you as Percy.

[He closes his hand around her fist as he searches for the right words.]

...Never have I witnessed a closer bond than that shared by my father and uncle. Ever have they supported, understood and drawn strength from each other. I cannot remember a time when they were not so. Growing up, I believed that my brother Thomas and I would follow in their footsteps. Tom... died on his first campaign. One can train to survive battle, but not to fend off disease. With his death, I had thought my chance to have that lost.

[Henry pauses, his throat tight. He is smiling, however, and his tone is happy.]

What I did not anticipate was you. 'Tis my honour to call you family.

[His king has a personal motto that Henry thinks wise: it is what it is. Henry is not a man to read more into a circumstance than there is. Promises are what he holds to, so when none are made he carries no expectations forward.

He is perfectly at ease when he lifts his chin and gives Dorian a cocky grin.]

They keep life interesting.

[And given that he cannot joust, hunt or hawk in Hadriel, he makes contests where he can to sate his competitive spirit.

Henry gestures to the shots he has poured -- six in total, three each -- and explains the contest.]

A race, to drink all three and stack the glasses. Whosoever is the slowest loses.

[Maketh quips a smile.] Perhaps it is. This...thank you, Henry. I never expected such a thing.

[Maketh tests the edge of the blade against her thumb, nodding in satisfaction. Despite everything he's done or will likely do in the future, Will has some skill in this. The blade is well made. Beautiful, even.] Your world has these animals?

[She's never seen their like.

Nonetheless, Maketh sheaths the blade and sticks it into her belt, as final an acceptance as she ever makes.]

Your gift is appreciated. Thank you.

[It's a peace offering and she'll treat it like one: kindly, but with quiet suspicion. Of course he'll need to be watched, but Will is making an effort. That counts for something. Exactly how far that goodwill stretches remains to be seen.]

[Before Hadriel, Maketh never quite knew what it meant to have a sibling. It had been discussed during her childhood, in hushed whispers when her mother and father thought her asleep, but deemed too risky. They had barely managed to feed themselves at the best of times, and another child would not have grown up well.

Nonetheless, she has Henry now. Always at her side. She trusts him deeply, perhaps more than she's ever trusted another living soul. They balance each other out, and together they have forged a powerful bond. It makes them stronger to stand together.

Maketh nods her head, meeting his eyes.]

Whatever happens, however this ends--you have made me better. And it is my honor to be your sister.

[ He's curious about the world she comes from, about the life she had there but knows better than to ask. They're not friends, never really can be unless Will, is well, less Will. ]

Mhm. Big beautiful, majestic animals. A rich, meaty flavor if you eat them. Delicate yet warm hides used to make attire. Not to mention their antlers.

[ It was nice to see Maketh so relaxed. No urgency to harm him or put him in his place, but Will knew better than to push his luck with her. He'd avoid staying too long, besides a party was a social place and Will detested being social. ]

Don't mention it, you're welcome.

[ Will raised his glass to her with a slight smile. ]

Happy birthday.

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come with me to the dance floor

ota

arrival; shall we do her present in this thread, or should I put it in my starters?

Party

Seperate thread, I think

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mood music because i promised on plurk

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all but one OTA!

Present

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Drinks of course

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