bakerstreet | fancy ball meme.

fancy ball meme.

FANCY BALL MEME

Time to go to the ball! Early or late, the food is exquisite, the music is an endless dream and the tide of taffeta creates the most wonderful wave around you. Are you here to find true love, to steal, to impress, to dance, or just for the incredible food? Perhaps you'll meet "the One"!

RULES
• Leave a comment with your character's name and fandom.
• RNG for a number between 1-10 to get your options. Mix and match!
• Have fun!

SCENARIOS

001 DANCING | One person asks another to dance.
002 MINGLING | Chatting in one of the lavish rooms or in the gardens.
003 INTRIGUE | You're not here to while the night away. Heists, assassinations, kidnappings, political backstabbing...your purpose tangoes with the more sinister.
004 LOST | The castle is huge! One person is lost, the other knows where the ball is.
005 MIDNIGHT | The clock has struck, your clothes have turned to rags!
006 KEEPSAKE | It might not be a glass slipper but someone has lost something and you're here to return it.
007 HOSTING | Ugh. Why are you doing this again? Oh. Yeah, your family, kingdom, or business is hosting the whole affair.
008 LIVERIED | Ball? You're here to work! Who else is going to clean up the sick on those rose bushes? Tsk.
009 MASQUERADE | A party with extra mystery. Remove the mask if you're feeling daring.
010 WILD CARD | Choose your own type of encounter!

(adapted from a meme by

sockle)

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With the lull of the music in the background filling the room with a more soft and romantic ambiance, Saya found herself being moved by a single kiss on the back of her hand. Her eyes were wide and full of softness for the man before her, yet as they continued dancing, she couldn't help but shake those feelings of guilt. There was so much Haji had put up with because of her— his arm being a major point of contention for her. Yet without hesitation, he forgave her each and every time.

"No I'm not upset with you over it. I'm more just...upset with how immature I was being. I should trust you, we've been through so much together and I know your loyalty is with me. I....", she ended before tightening her lips together. She continued dancing, swaying a bit as she contemplated on what to say next. Should she tell him that she loved him? That she was grateful for all that he did?

Surely he knew the full scope of her feelings.

Music always had a way of helping him focus since everything went wrong. Sometimes even before. The woman who held his heart had gifted him with the means to play that music, a way to get lost in the past or help those around him find some solace. There were far too many hours in the day for one who doesn't need to sleep or eat. Well, eat food, anyway.

He did everything he could not to acknowledge his arm outside of combat. To him, that arm was a sign of his betrayal to her. He ran. He never should have run. If he hadn't Haji never would have met Nishi. Not that he had told Saya about his friend back in Kowloon, it did not matter. The mission and Saya were all that mattered.

Giving her a knowing look instead of pointing out she had always been a little immature, and it never bothered him before. Instead, he leaned his head in closer. "I know." The words spoken softly. He didn't need her to say it, even if his heart craved to hear those words. "I will always be at your side."

There was a heaviness to his words, something almost spoken but it remained lingering in the air between them as they swayed and held each other during the dance. It was difficult for her to come to terms with all the horror that came with being her and being associated with Diva. The damage it brought to other people was a terrible side effect that she wished she could erase but she couldn't— and despite the closeness the two shared, the intimacy, it still felt selfish to Saya to say those words.

So for now she remained silent, taking in his own words gently before her head turned around a bit to catch a glimpse of Maria and her previous dance partner. It seemed the two were getting along well and it made her smile softly. Finally she spoke.

"Thank you....and it seems those two are getting along well. I always wondered what it would be like to be happy and free like that."

There was so much he wanted to say, feelings weighing heavily on him, but words he couldn't and wouldn't let out. Not yet, not while he had a promise to keep. A promise he hated more and more every day. Even now, with her in his arms, swaying on the dance floor together. Haji hated the idea of killing her, still, his desire did not matter. Only hers.

Blue eyes shifting as she smiled and spoke. Seeing Maria and the other dancing the girl laughing full of life. "Indeed, perhaps you have made a match." Just the lightest touch of teasing. It couldn't be helped. Shrugging his shoulders as the music was slowing to stop, and yet, he didn't pull away to stop the dance. "You knew at a time. I remember when you were once happy." Thinking of her laughing with Kai, Riku, and George. Himself and Joel, even.

"You're right....but that was temporary.", she said, softly bringing her gaze down to the ground. Soon though, a different thought came to mind before her gaze rose up and caught sight of those deep blue eyes. It was a happy time for her, but one born of ignorance, of the truth being hidden from her and not knowing who or what she really was. If she had to think back to a real happy time, perhaps it would be back in the Zoo with Haji. However given that she was also ignorant to who and what she really was as well, was that also a pleasant time?

It didn't make sense for her to explain herself though because in the end none of it mattered. The outcome of her actions and endeavors were all the same; she was set to die at the end of everything regardless. Perhaps that meant she should be open with Haji about her feelings but....for now this was the best she could do.

"After this, we should spend some time together, just the two of us. It's been a very long time where we could just be together in peace, so let's hope everything goes smoothly today."

Nodding softly as she spoke. It did cause a pain in his chest, but nothing he wasn't used to. Nothing that would show on his face. He shouldn't argue, even though he had been ignorant of what was happening when they were there. Being bought the way he had been was the worst thing to happen to him before the massacre and Diva killing him. Yet, he wouldn't trade it for anything. "Maybe so, but that time gave me the chance to walk endless years with you." Perhaps a little depressing for some, but for him, that was his happiness. Those few years between decades of sleep.

An expression did cross his features then. A touch of confusion. Then the lightest of smiles. "I rather like that idea. Only if you are certain." He had a feeling something would go wrong.

He had never been so lucky, and yet? There was a ping of hope. Even if just a few hours walking together would be enough. "If all goes smoothly, what would you desire to do?"

"I still hate that you have to do that, live so many years without me and be forced to roam all alone.", she said softly, her voice straining just a bit. There was so much guilt, she felt and as they continued dancing, it only seemed to weigh her down even more. Despite that though, she knew he didn't want to or rather he wouldn't accept her feeling about this given his own devotion to her. So she decided it was best to move onto that little fantasy she brought up.

As the music began to change behind them, she switched the position of her arms and hands, guiding him towards a new pattern of dancing. In the meantime she thought about his question before finally answering.

"Of course I'm certain, after everything we've been through, the things we've shared I want....no I need more. I want to spend an entire day together showing our true feelings for one another, even if it's the last time. It should be special." The casual embraces and kisses they were able to share between the chaos of each mission and destination they went to in order to search for Diva wasn't enough. Not for someone like Haji who had spent so long without Saya.

"It is not as bad as you may feel." It was his truth, even apart, he could feel her in a way. Knowing she was safe and hibernating while he explored the world. Nothing would be as bad as his time post-Vietnam, but there were many nights of walking through Paris or seeing operas that helped make the time less dreadful. If he could sleep, it would be different. "I know I will always find you when the time is right." Almost like he expected another 30 years. He didn't, hoping for it was damning more to Diva. As selfish as he wanted to be.

Letting her take the lead, he moved fluidly along with her, almost as if a boy again learning from her. It was never a challenge to follow Saya in any way.

A rarity happened then. Haji smiled. Soft and fleeting, never like before her rampage, but it was there. "I would like that very much, Saya. If we are able too." Oh, he had dreamed of such things for so long, but what were the chances an attack wouldn't happen? Or someone would show up? He leaned in, a bold moment, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead without missing a dance step.

There was at least comfort in that— if Saya fell into her hibernation, Diva would also do the same and the world would be at peace for at least three decades. However given the nature of things and what went down in Vietnam, it was difficult for all of them to hinge their bets on that. Diva's own cycle was never quite predictable given the circumstances but it was probably best not to think about it too hard for now. Instead Saya focused on the dance, before her attention was drawn to that soft little smile that seemed to land on Haji's lips.

As brief and as tiny as it was— she couldn't help but match it as her hands squeezed him tightly. "Thank you for indulging me Haji...", she managed to say, before thinking how it was selfish of her to ask for such a thing. Yet they were once lovers weren't they? Or rather they still were, but truthfully who knew with how much time had passed and how much things had truly changed.

Still, when that kiss came down onto her forehead, she couldn't help but melt at the warm sensation. Could a creature like her, who festered on the lifeforce of humanity truly be deserving of such warmth? She wasn't sure of the answer but she was sure of one thing; she was happy it had come from Haji.

Their hibernations gave the chevaliers time to do whatever sleepless ones do to pass the long hours when sleep eludes them. He regretted none of it, the loneliness, the pain, nothing. All of it allowed him moments like these. Gliding across the dance floor with the woman who has held his heart for over a century.

Those smiles, even the rarer laughs, those were for her. Others may hear or see at times, but it was still just for her. "You need not thank me for giving me a chance to see to your every whim and wish." The words just a touch playful, the old sarcastic being was still in there somewhere.

Haji had never stopped considering them lovers, even if it had been a long time since that first kiss. Seeing how she reacted to that small kiss, he finally added. "When would you wish to start this day of ours?" A selfish part of him wanted to scoop her up and take off across the rooftops, but he was too much of a gentleman for that. They were technically working.

Thankfully for them both it was far too easy for them to understand each other— anyone else might have been offended or put off by such words, but to Saya they simply invoked nostalgia, a more simple time when the two had no worries in the world. In the Zoo, under Joel's care without knowing what horrors awaited the both of them. Even if they should be focused now, focused on the task at hand, she couldn't help but slip into the moment without any hesitation. So when he asked her such a question, Saya smiled at him tenderly and finally spoke words he might have been wishing to hear—

for centuries perhaps. "I want to go back to where we've been....to that night where you comforted me so many years ago." To the night where he begged her to take her 'medicine', for her sake. Yet despite that, she couldn't see how badly he had wanted her to live. Even in their dancing, so full of life and hope, she couldn't see it.

Still she loved him despite her silence, and her words clearly showed that.

He probably should have considered his words more carefully, but to him, it was a simple truth. Walking with Saya, fighting at her side and being with her are all gifts she has given him. Yes, there is pain, but it does not matter when there is so he has gotten to experience thanks to one tragic kiss.

The smile directed his way warms something in him. He can't help but return it. One of the rarer smiles that shows in his eyes."That night I gave you the comb?" Bursting through her window was not his best moment, but he wouldn't regret it. It brought their first kiss, and a deeper understanding.

"We can certainly try to make that come true. Without smashing through windows this time." Blue eyes shifting from her to see if David and the others were distracted.

At least for now things seemed calm around them as they continued their dancing and chatter, the air around them becoming filled with a gleeful positivity she hadn't felt in so long. Perhaps it was the influence of the flirtatious Maria who left such a flirtatious and jovial energy behind, or perhaps it was simply the two finally reaching a point where they could just be happy like this.

Even if Saya's dream couldn't come true, even if that kiss originally ended in tragedy, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she wanted him and only him. Haji was the only man she had eyes for, even if she couldn't say it, her jealous gestures showed it.

"Yes please, I don't want you getting hurt again.", she said, matching his more subtle and tiny smile with a bright one of her own as she let out a soft laughter. "But...I guess we should concentrate on our work for now. They'll be time to discuss what else I want from you on our special day...later." Her words were clearly suggesting something far more intimate but deep down, she just wanted to show him how much he meant to her.

It was a rarity for a calm to last this long in their war to stop Diva. Still, maybe Maria had left a touch of her playfulness between them when she danced away with the other man. Haji was not about to look a gifted horse in the mouth. Seeing Saya happy and wanting to spend time with him?

It was like a dream. Not that he does that anymore, not needing to sleep and all. Still, the fact remained. This was precisely what he wanted. If they must die at the end of their journey, they deserve some moment of peace together.

"If that is what you wish." The bright smile warmed something in him, he thought he had lost after Vietnam. He knew work was important, as was the mission, but he was not ready to let go yet. But as the music stopped, he slowed to match. "Perhaps once we all return to the hotel?" If Kai didn't try to keep him away from Saya anyway.

As they slowed down to the new pace of the music, Saya found herself genuinely stumped by Haji's words. She knew deep down he could, or rather would never tell her no and yet to actually hear him bring up a specific time and date for her wish was something else. It left her.....standing there in a daze with a blush deep on her face. She wasn't expecting for them to be able to accomplish such a delightful dream, to actually fulfill their wish and not just talk about it.

In fact, it was such a huge surprise that she was left flustered and feeling like a jovial school girl with a crush. She always had feelings for him but it truly felt cemented in this moment.

"Oh....yes I'd like that? No pressure of course I....I know I can be demanding sometimes.", she said, her voice more coy and filled with a nervous energy that wasn't there before. Despite that though, she looked excited and still full of happiness.

As the slowed to the stop he did not yet remove his arms or step back to that gentlemanly distance that old decorum demanded. No, his blue eyes looked into hers as if he could see her soul. It had been something he wanted to say, something he needed to say, to show it was a shared wish. Not just her wish, as selfish as it made him feel.

Haji wanted that wish to come true. As unrealistic as it may currently, with the war and the Red Shield hovering.

"I know." The words spoken once more as he tipped his head, finally stepping back, once more offering his hand to escort her off the dance floor. "You are not being demanding Saya. At least I do not feel so, I wish for this too." The last part spoken lower, as if confessing a sin.

Of course, that means at any moment battle would break out. But for now, he would just cherish this feeling of being wanted by the woman he adores with every fiber of his being.

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fancy ball meme.

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Wow, DW sure ate this notif, glad I checked.