Paper Faces on Parade

[happysweets]

[ Okay, so, assuming everyone got a crossword and an invite on Tuesday, one would assume that pretty much everyone knows that Misa's planning something. A sign on the door of the music room will indicate as much, a nice big "KEEP OUT PLEASE ♥" to make sure everything's set up just right before the festivities start. The tables are set up just right for snacks and all, the stage is set, the room is even decorated with hand-made streamers and lots of bright ribbons from the art room! When Misa goes hard, she goes hard, apparently. The floor isn't exactly a dance floor, but it should be nice enough that people can dance if they want to, and though she had a really hard time pushing everything around to make the perfect amount of space, it looks like it's about as good as it's going to get.

The guests'll be happy to know there aren't any penalty snacks this time around; nothing set out on the table looks gross or horribly out of place like at Truth or Dare. Everything looks pretty cute, actually; between the desserts and the actual cocktails set out, she and Aqua kind of outdid themselves in terms of meal planning. As for the host herself, she'll obviously be running around too, making sure everything's going okay; one would think that between prepping the food and the party itself, she wouldn't have much time to get herself all dolled up, but a model always has to look her best! And Misa certainly isn't giving anything less than 110 percent, between her short black dress and her ma-- jesus Misa save some glitter for everyone else

In any case, the party is definitely intended to be a late-night affair! And all are welcome, so feel free to come in and dance the night away! Misa even has a bunch of masks in different colors made for people who didn't have time to make one themselves, so don't be shy to grab one and have fun! ]

Comments

[pokexplorer]

[Masks are a bit hard to pull off when glasses are part of the equation, so Colress unfortunately had to forego one for the party. He can't sacrifice his ability to see clearly, after all! But he does show up for sure, and he gets as dressy as he possibly can. That mostly just means taking off his labcoat really, as much as he finds it fancy as well. His hair is also done a little differently, his long blue bang neatly tucked against the rest of his hair with a simple multipurpose clip from the storage room. Sorry Cherryblod, the kitty hairpin just didn't scream "formal occasion" to him.

He doesn't formally ask for dances for the most part, not wanting to ask someone into a dance when he's not practiced at all, though he will accept them! The majority of the time he can be found sampling the delicious deserts and mingling among the crowd, happy to chat.

Klinklang is also around! Either near its Trainer or floating above everyone, watching the goings-on. It...does have a cute little black mask tied to its minigear, so at least one of the duo got to do the masquerade thing!]

[cherryblooded]

[That's okay, he doesn't take offense at the lack of kitty hairpin.]

Now, see, I don't know if I want to ask you or Klinklang to dance first.

[pokexplorer]

Oh! I suppose I didn't consider the possibility of Klinklang dancing.

[How does that even work?? Well, apparently he's going to find out because Klinklang immediately floats over when it hears its name mentioned.]

It's your pick, Cherryblod, though I won't be devastated if you pick me second.

[Mostly because he...can't dance...but now more because he actually wants to see Cherryblod try to make dancing with some gears work.]

[cherryblooded]

Now that it's interested in dancing, I'd hate to disappoint by making it wait. You'll have your turn.

[He turns to Klinklang, giving it a deep bow.]

May I have this dance?

[He'll figure something out.]

[pokexplorer]

[Colress does not mind this at all, obviously. So he gives a curt nod and takes a step back for the two dancers.

Meanwhile Klinklang both understands and doesn't understand what Cherryblod is even getting at with this question. It tilts its body in a confused manner at first, trying to figure out what a dance is...

Is it what it's seen other people doing in pairs tonight? The holding hands and moving around thing?

...

If so then heck yes, it's so in.]

[cherryblooded]

Let's see, how should we go about this...

...this will either work or make me very, very dizzy.

[He takes two of Klinklang's spikes in his hands, which necessitates that he start moving around it to avoid upsetting its spin.]

I'm going to try to teach you how to waltz. Basically, we're going to move in time to the music, in an imaginary box. You don't have feet, so just follow my movements, alright?

First, I'm going to step forward with my left foot...

[It's going to be hell compensating for the fact that he's spinning around Klinklang as they move, but you know what, let's say that he manages to come up with some instructions that make this spinning waltz work, because it will be super cute.]

[pokexplorer]

[It's a bit surprising for someone to grab Klinklang's spikes like that, considering that is where it shoots electricity from, so it almost recoils a little bit at first. But it does realize that Cherryblod has plans, so it goes along with it, also appreciative of the fact that Cherryblod is moving with its rotation. Just grabbing it like that would normally cause some problems.

The minigear bobs up from its usual placement to give Cherryblod a nod of understanding. So Cherryblod moved his left foot, would that mean it also does the same thing? Well, the left side of its body, at least...]

[cherryblooded]

You have to do the opposite of what I'm doing. So if I step forward on my left, then you move backwards on your right side. Alright?

[At least he's fairly good at teaching the waltz normally.]</small.

[pokexplorer]

[Oooh, the opposite! Okay, it can do opposite.

So once Cherryblod tries the left again, Klinklang will shift back and right.]

I am sorry I am just typoing everywhere

[cherryblooded]

[That works a lot better! Step one achieved.]

Good job. Next I'm going to step diagonally with my right foot, like this.

[He demonstrates - up and to the right, so for Klinklang, it should be back and to the left.]

It's okay! I KEEP DOING THAT SAME TYPO MYSELF...

[pokexplorer]

[The encouragement is appreciated!!

Remembering the opposites rule this time, Klinklang tries back and left.]

it's the worst

[cherryblooded]

[And that works too!]

Very good. Next I have to bring my feet together, so I'm going to bring my left foot over to the right. I don't think you have to move for this part, actually?

[This is harder for someone who doesn't have feet.]

Then I'm going to step back with my right foot, so you move forward.

[pokexplorer]

[Well, it'll be moving in a way, but it understands the meaning.

The further they get into this, the more Klinklang thinks it's starting to get the idea. It's definitely tricky without feet though, but it's managing. So now is the time to move forward! It does just that.

From the sidelines, Colress is actually pretty damn impressed by how well they're doing this. Never in a million years would he have expected to see someone dancing with a Pokemon like Klinklang. Gardevoir or another humanoid Pokemon, yes, but a pile of gears? That's impressive.]

You're both doing excellent.

[Words of encouragement!]

[bloodisthicker]

[..........holy shit he meant to track down Colress anyway but that Klinklang is cute enough that he kind of has to smile.]

...well, aren't you festive? You're just the life of the party here.

[pokexplorer]

[Klinklang is so thrilled by that comment, you have no idea. Well, maybe Tarrlok will have an idea when the Pokemon spins rather excitedly in his general direction...taking care to mind its spikes, obviously.

Colress can't help but smile too, because he was planning to check in on Tarrlok since it was pretty alarmingly obvious that he wasn't doing so well practically all week. So seeing that smile is good!]

I thought I might dress Klinklang up since I cannot wear a mask myself. My glasses would only get in the way.

[...And of course, the question:]

How are you faring tonight, Tarrlok?

[bloodisthicker]

Ahhh, I see. Well... you might as well, right?

[holy shit, he can't believe this thing. he wants to see if he can make it treats but he has no idea if it eats.

...but he'll settle on pats for now. but oh, that question...]

...well, I'm... faring. It's been a rough week for all of us, I think, and it's... probably just going to get rougher.

[pokexplorer]

[It would find a way! IT CAN EAT POKEPUFFS SO THEORETICALLY... Either way, heck yeah, pats!

Basically this is amie as hell.]

I do realize that. I simply ask because of your reaction to the Kingmaker the other day. I am...concerned, I suppose.

[Well he is.]

[bloodisthicker]

[...the smile that petting a goddamn metal gear thing produced fades a little, there...]

...I won't lie and say I haven't thought about it at all. I'm not going to pretend I don't have any regrets, because believe me, at this point in time, there are more things I regret than things I don't.

At the same time... well, I wouldn't trust the Kingmaker further than...

[...he could throw him pretty far, thinking about it.]

...Misa could throw him, and I think it's a little conceited to think I could actually make things better and not worse.

[pokexplorer]

[Oh, well that's... It's good that he's not considering the incentive, but at what cost, honestly.]

Tarrlok...have your dreams not been treating you well?

[He knows that the trials have weighed a lot on Tarrlok's mind too, but this...the decline seems to be a little more than that.]

You have every right to not want to discuss it, of course. But I am willing to listen if it will help at all.

[Does that sort of thing even help? Colress isn't sure, this is sort of new to him. But it's worth a try.]

[bloodisthicker]

...no, they really haven't.

[...he hesitates a bit before continuing, because while Mettaton was... well... they're acquaintance level enough that Tarrlok doesn't really have that much of a kneejerk no reaction about tanking their relationship, but man.

Colress.]

...

Haha. Well, now I'm actually sure that the Kingmaker didn't do anything to my abilities.

[pokexplorer]

[That comment actually takes a moment to sink in. The Kingmaker didn't do anything to Tarrlok's waterbending? How is that--

Oh.

Oh no.]

That Amon person...don't tell me he took them?

[His heart basically sinks at the thought. He knows how much Tarrlok wanted his abilities back.]

[bloodisthicker]

...well, I'd be doubting your qualifications if you couldn't pick up on it quickly. That's probably the worst thing that happened that wasn't actually...

[...he thinks about it...]

...no, I think it was still my fault in the long run.

[pokexplorer]

Tarrlok...

[Colress isn't entirely sure how to proceed. Obviously there's more to the story, but...

He can kind of tell that this conversation is one big minefield.]

Why are you blaming yourself for that? What...what happened?

[bloodisthicker]

...

[Honestly? He's been wanting to tell someone the actual truth for a while now, and he didn't elaborate all that much to Mettaton, but... damn.

Damn. As much as he wants to get it all of his chest and let all these secrets go...]

...it's kind of a long story. If you don't mind that, I'll go ahead, but I don't want to just impose on you.

[pokexplorer]

[Colress pauses briefly, then nods slowly, mentally preparing himself for some possible Tough Shit. If there is any time for him to remain neutral, it's now.]

As I said, I am willing to listen. I do still stand by that.

[...]

Do you want to take this somewhat a bit more private, then?

[If it's a long story like Tarrlok says, maybe they should go sit down somewhere?]