ROLEPLAY HQ - love-s-ball

Hazel ignored the way that the mask on his face tickled his nose slightly, his suit was tailored to fit him perfectly so there was no such itch coming from his suit. Instead, it was tailored perfectly for his body accenting every muscle of his body. The black suit was the same shade of his raven-coloured hair that he liked to keep neat and tidy. He carried a glass of wine in his hands the liquid being a dark purple as he raised it to his lips and took a sip. He knew that already the guards would be looking for him they hated it when he was walking around unguarded, but he had no plans on getting found anytime soon. He wanted to enjoy his night which was why he had left his mask that he should have been wearing inside of his room. The mask was more like a crown then a mask he was sure that it was to display his pedigree which was exactly why he had switched to a gold half mask. When a guard had nearly recognised him, he had to slip behind another guest and slip out. He had hoped that he would be able to have fun with the other guests without them knowing who he was but he couldn’t get along with those people. They were just too self-obsessed.

3:06 AM

On his way out he grabbed a hold of a large bottle of strong wine before he slipped between the large doors and into the hallway the bottle in his hand. Part of him hoped that he would be coming across someone on the way, someone different to those at the Gala. He was bored and fed up with spending so much time with people that only cared of him because of his parents. He tensed as he saw that a guard had almost spotted him cursing under his breath as he moved quickly trying to step into an alcove lunging forward to try and get to it before he felt his body knocking into a woman his eyes widening over his mask but by then it was too late. If he stopped now the guard would see him so he had to continue. “Please be quiet.” He whispered to her frantically his heard racing hoping that they wouldn’t be caught. He didn’t know how he would be able to explain this to his father especially because he knew how this would look, as his hand quickly raised trying to cover her mouth with his palm to keep her silent. @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

A knight, trained as such, scarred from a few battles with as much elegance on a ballroom floor than a dog on a frozen lake. And what did the letter say again? "To complete your training as the upcoming personal knight of His Highness the Crown Prince and as to prove your dedication to the royal family, you are hereby invited to the Masked Autumnal Ball." What a load of bullshit! These aristocrats just wanted to see the newbie get ridiculed! She crumbled the letter in her fist and clenched her jaw. Thankfully, she had befriended the daughter of the local pastry chef and among their discussions, she was able to get recommended a seamstress to tailor her ballgown in last minute. But the rest was totally up to Arlette to either learn beforehand or discover on the spot. Still upset with the fact she was basically forced to show up if she wanted to pretend for the position of personal knight, she rearranged her hair a bit, making sure the bun would hold and a few strands of hair were framing her hair. More for her to use as antistress than for esthetic purposes. With one last glance into the mirror, she left the side hallway she had hidden in when arriving. The hoopskirt was still taking some time getting used to but at least she still had a wide range of leg movement than if she had opted for petticoats. Although she had asked for the dress to be able to make her blend in easily, she still thought the yellow and brownish colors were too distinguishable. In comparison, she was quite satisfied with her mask that managed to hide her facial scars without making it obvious.

6:57 AM

Right when she was about to turn the corner that would lead her back to the ballroom, someone bumped into her. She shouldv'e heard him coming, but she was too nervous. Tightening her core by reflex in case the man had intended to stab her, she did not resist otherwise. Sometimes, the best move was to go with the flow. The footsteps of the soldier were approaching, and he called out to the shadow he had seen move this way. "You be quiet_" she hushed back, grabbing his hand away from her mouth and forcing him to hide in her shadow, the shadow of her skirt more specifically. "Oh no, did someone go this way?" she feigned ignorance and fear of a young lady's first ball "I was getting some fresh air but saw no one, were they dangerous?"

6:58 AM

@All time Jack

He couldn't say that he pushed strangers into cramped spaces often. Or at all even when they weren't strangers it wasn't like he did it but being so close to getting caught he acted on reflex. On the bright side the woman that he had accidentally bumped into was really beautiful. So he liked to think that he was pretty lucky. He hadn't seen many people in brown and yellow dresses at the ball but he thought that the dress suited her. He was a little surprised about how solid her body felt when he pressed against her. She didn't have the physique that he would expect from a woman. Was she tensing too? He didn't expect her to react in the way she did either. Her confidence and alertness as she took control caught him off guard but he didn't dislike it as he let her take the lead saying nothing even as his eyes widened at being hid behind her skirt. While she acted innocent he let his hands grip her hips gently, his fingers resting on the small of her back knowing that if he gripped her hips properly then they would be caught. "Oh it's nothing." The knight answered back quicky, a younger knight that crumbled a little as he saw how scared the young maiden was. Even if the fear was fake. "Don't spread this around please but the crown Prince snuck off during the ball and we're trying to find him. He even went with the suit that he wasn't supposed to. It's okay though he just does this a lot." The knight admitted to her in an attempt to take away her fears. "Enjoy the party." He added before he left in search of the Prince. "You know I thought that he would never leave. I'm not complaining though not when I got to spend more time with someone so beautiful." He told her teasingly as he let his fingers curl around her hips. "I do ask that next time you hide me under your skirt you let me take you for a dance first." @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

Keeping up the pretend until she could hear the footsteps fade away, a portion of her shoulders relaxed. Turning her attention back to the mysterious man, she took a step to the side to get him to let go of her hips. Bringing her hand up to play with a strand of her hair, she also used to hide her flushed face. "Why am I even doing this, I only helped because you would've been caught otherwise!" Finally glancing at him, she couldn't help but notice that he had the figure to swoop all the ladies, although personally, she did find him a bit thin. Then again, this ball was for nobles, people who hardly ever lifted a sword. "Who are you, to hide from the party so desperately? I thought everyone here was dying to see the Prince..." Was she? Slightly, yes. But not out of petty curiousity - that's what she told herself - rather to have an idea of who she'd have to give her life for. To put a face on the one she was going to serve. And also, maybe, to fuel the gossip of her only female friend. For now all she could tell about her interlocutor was that he seemed confused. Why pair a black, rather sober suit with such an extravagant golden mask? If he wanted to be noticed so badly, why not opt for a fully flamboyant and coloured golden suit showing off his wealth that was probably almost equivalent to that of the Prince? She crossed her arms on her chest, waiting for an answer. @All time Jack

Part of him wanted her to not move away from him, but still when she stepped to the side he let his fingers gently brush against her hips as he let go off her. Before he grinned noticing the way that she played with her hair to hide her blush. "You really are kind." He started to say watching as she crossed her arms before he confidently starter to walk closer and closer to her. "I would be fine with being caught if it was you catching me." There weren't really a lot of women that looked like her. That felt so solid but he couldn't deny that he liked her the way that she was. That he thought that she seemed cool. "Isn't the whole point of the masks to hide our identity?" He answered her softly before he quickly started to step closer to her. "I'm sure the Prince is a cool person. But why would I be here to see him when I was lucky to bump into such a beautiful woman." He whispered to her before he walked into her gently until her back was pinned against the wall with his body pressing up against hers. "Would you do me the honours of letting me take you? For a dance." @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

As soon as he started getting closer, she stepped back. For each step he took, she took two. He was indeed quite right, the purpose of this ball was the masked part. But again, she had never attended any ball before, and wasn't planning on attending any more in the future, so could she really be blamed for feeling uncomfortable surrounded by a masked crowd? "S-step back!" she tried ordering, but her voice was too soft, and her heart visibly surprised of his compliments. They were the first, after all. It was no surprise in her weakness, once this fact in mind. How can one protect themselves of something they've never even thought they'd experience? Feeling her cheeks heat up, she hid the lower half of her face and glanced away. This entire situation seemed more dangerous as the second slipped by. "I'm.. I'm not a good dancer, at all. So.. you'll just embarrass yourself in front of everyone..." @All time Jack

He advanced on her slowly as she stepped away from him. He didn't rush after her, his steps were taken slowly and with confidence knowing that she could only walk back so much until her back met the wall. Their shared alcove wasn't all that big after all. He couldn't help but smile as he heard her soft voice she really was cute. To try and help ease her he raised his hands placaatingly showing her his palms while his eyes showed a playful glint to them. "Stay back? But you're so cute when you get all flustered." He told her teasingly enjoying it even more as he watched her cover her face before she looked away from him knowing that she was flustered. "I wouldn't mind even if you did embarrass me. If you stepped on my toes I'll smile and bare it and if you tripped into me I would dip you and give you a little kiss." He promised her with a wink before he leaned forward and tried to gently take a hold of her hands using the hold to pull her body against his. "But I know somewhere that we could go to be alone. Where we could still hear the music and I can teach you how to dance without you needing to worry about others seeing us." @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

Glancing at him as he approached, a strange feeling spread to her chest and face, a burning sensation, an urge to hide in the layers of fabric making up her dress until the ball was over. Maybe it was thanks to the mask, or the fact they weren't expected to introduce themselves, but she gave in when he took her hand. "Alright then..." she said, looking up at him from her downward-tilted head. "May I ask one more thing first?" With her free hand, she brought it up to her chest, as if trying to search for courage there. Taking a deep breath, she started back into his eyes, a shine of determination and a faint glimmer of hope blended in the green pools that were her eyes. "Promise me you will not make fun of me..and I'll go along with whatever you say." @All time Jack

He couldn't help but smile at her more as he saw how flustered she was. His hand gripped hers gently as he looked back at her and when he heard her question he smiled at her softly, not missing the way that that she was looking with her head down. Her shyness made his features soften as he smiled at her kindly hoping to help ease her worries. "Anything." He promised her as he watched her bring her free hand to her chest, staying quiet as she breathed before he smiled at her again when her eyes met his. His own brown eyes looking into soft green eyes. "I swear it." He told her quicky, the promise easy for him to make. "I may tease you." He admitted to her as he leaned into her letting his forehead rest against hers. "But that's only because you are so beautiful, so cute when you fluster but I swear on my honour, on my heart that I will not make fun of you. Why would I." He promised her before he let go off her hand and tried to wrap an arm around her hips gently "Well beautiful are you ready to go?" @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

"Huh, this brown in his eyes is pretty." she found herself mentally noting, which prompted her to break the eye contact and look away so he wouldn't see the embarrassment painted on her face. Putting her fist to her lips, she took a deep breath with her eyes closed before opening them again. Taking the first step forward, she avoided his hand searching for her hip and instead turned back to him, offering her hand to take. "Lead the way" she firmly said, hoping her gesture of leaving her hand for him to grab would soften her words. It was not that she wasn't aware of how direct she could sound, but the memory of hearing her fellow knights talk about how they disliked assertive women. And maybe, for once, and for this night only, with only this man, she wanted to be wanted. So policing herself, for the sake of desire, was nothing. @All time Jack

He couldn't help but smirk as she broke eye contact and looked away from him feeling triumphant as they interacted. He noticed her avoiding the hand but he didn't comment on it, simply smiling as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He was trying to fluster her more but he wasn't trying to make her uncomfortable if she didn't want him to wrap his arm around her waist them he wouldn't. At her firm words he simply smiled grinned back at her. He didn't mind her directness. Really the change was refreshing the people that he was used to doted on his every word and were too worried about coming across wrong because he was their prince. "I would love to beautiful." He spoke pulling her hand up to his lips so that he could gently kiss her knuckles before he lead her out of the room and up into a balcony that had them looking down at the ball while the music played in there ears. "The first thing to learn should be where to put your hands." He added before he playfully pulled her in close getting her to face him before he let go off her hand. "Wrap your arms around my neck okay." @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

She was starting to get a grasp of what kind of man he was. A flirt, the exact type her friend would fawn over. Because she was one of the only - if not the only - female knight, she never got the chance to hear what her male comrades would say in the changing rooms. All she knew was that flirts would often slack off at practice. So if she jumped to conclusions a bit, then she dislike flirts. But this wasn't a regular setting either, there was no practice going on. No swords clashing violently with each other, no techniques that would send your stomach flying. This man was gentle. He treated her more like an equal and made butterflies appear in her stomach. For once, she gave in and lowered her guard. The music grew suddenly louder when he led her to the balcony, but it was more bearable to the ears as they were further from the orchestra. She was facing him when he pulled her close and she couldn't hide the surprised noise she let out. "I-Is this how it's done here..? You're not fooling me, right?" If they hadn't been this close, she may have been able to hold his gaze, but she was almost pressed against him, and their faces were so close she felt like her mask had melted on her skin. Yet, she followed through and wrapped her arms around his neck, hesitantly at first but when she felt his hand firmly on her hip, she leaned into it a bit further. "I've only tried dancing when I was a kid..." @All time Jack

He thought that she was beautiful really beautiful. He wanted to tease and fluster her more and more until her face was bright red. He preferred the music up on the banister compared to being in the center of the ballroom. He couldn't help but grin more widely at her as he heard the noise that left her pretty lips before he smiled back at her sofltly and nodded. "You really are too beautiful when you get all red." He whispered into her ear playfully even as he leaned into her and smiled liking the way that she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm not fooling you. I promise. There are different ways off dancing but this is how I want to dance with you." He whispered to her sofltly and smiled as he felt her lean into his touch. He let his free hand wrap around her waist after he finished speaking a happy smile on his face. "Do you think that you like this wat of dancing?" He asked her while carefully guiding her to step from side to side with him to the beat of the music before he winked at her. "When we dance like this I get to hold you close and look at your pretty face while you blush. It's perfect." @MMS (Martin-Maraiste)

The proximity made her a bit uncomfortable, after all she had only been close to men in a sparring or life-or-death context. But she turned her head to the side to peek over the balcony and did her best to bear with it. Her ears were burning, and so were her cheeks. From the little musical education she had, she guessed this dance was much slower than the one she had tried as a kid. Hopefully, it would help her cool down a bit. At the start, their steps were decently synchronized as she let him lead. Maybe it helped that in her daily training sessions, foot placement was important too. The only problem was that foot placement in combat is a solo skill, and the only benefit of studying the opponent's placement is to better strike them down. Which was not the point here. So after maybe a good third of the song going smoothly, Arlette started to bump into him. For one or two steps, it would be fine, then on the third she'd accidentally step on his foot. On the fifth she may miss a step or make a wrong step. And each time she'd apologize, embarrassed. The more she tried to relax and let him guide her, the tenser she became and the more mistakes she made. As the song finally reached its end, she let go of him and stepped back a little. She apologized once again "It was very kind of you to invite me for this dance. I'm thankful, but I hope you don't regret doing it now that you've seen how terrible a dancer I am." she looked pretty down and her demeanor had gone back to a formal one, that took as little space as possible in her movement and words. @All time Jack