[ ACTION ] OTA: You'll Never Know How Many Dreams I Dreamed About You

[nascensibility]

Who: Everyone is welcome, children and adults alike.
Where: First floor, ballroom.
When: Friday the 13th, from 9:00 in the evening on.
Rating: E (for Everyone)
Summary: Semi-formal themed fête.






[Guided by brassy music down an expansive hall residents will enter the first floor ballroom: it has undergone many transformations in its time, and suffered the myriad slings and arrows of Wonderland's event-related torment, but tonight its purpose has shaped it into something glittering and streamlined, the décor as advertised not long before. While socialising does appear to be the primary function, the arrangement of amenities would suggest differently.

The gilded walls border on overly opulent and a dancefloor - ringed with refreshment tables, an open bar, and scattered seating - is pointedly centred, and the brass band for which a Vendor Ticket was exchanged explodes with forceful tunes from a handful of different eras, some of which might be recognisable to those of the twenty-first century.

The only uncertainty is how one might spend the evening.]

Comments

[uncaging]

"Of course we're friends!" Elizabeth sounds a little hurt that he even has to ask, then she softens a little, feeling bad for him and empathising more than a little. She squeezes his hand. "I know what it's like to be alone, too. But here--" she gestures somewhat vaguely around in a wide, sweeping gesture "--we'll have lots of friends."

[ttlynotabloodmage]

"I don't think I will," Jowan says, shaking his head, though he stops quickly when it makes it feel like his brain is going to come out of his ears. "I only really have you now. No one here from my world is a friend of mine; they're all afraid of me or hate me."

His shoulders slump further. "Maybe they're right and you should be too. I hurt my friend before, and... and Lily. I don't want to hurt you like that as well. You're too nice and pretty and kind for that."

[uncaging]

Elizabeth frowns uncertainly, slowly extracting her hand from his, the pleasant buzz of the alcohol turning into something a little sharper. "Why would you hurt me?"

[ttlynotabloodmage]

I wouldn't want to! [Jowan says immediately, the idea upsetting him suddenly and he suddenly wants to reassure Elizabeth just as much as he wants to warn her away just in case. That he might one day see Lily's look of betrayal in her eyes is too much to bear.]

I hurt my closest friends without meaning to. I'm just not very good to be around and I didn't think about what I was doing and I acted without thinking and... I don't want to do that to you. I like you, I don't want to hurt you. You'd deserve better than that.

[uncaging]

[Elizabeth shifts uncomfortably, pushing her glass away from her.]

You're just saying this because you've had too much to drink. Maybe we should stop.

[ttlynotabloodmage]

I'm not! [Jowan insists, reaching out to take her hand as though contact will help her see better.]

I just- I don't want to hurt you like I did Lily and Alim. They trusted me and I ruined their lives. You're so kind and gentle, I'd never want to see you hurt the same way. Please tell me that you'll at least remember this warning?

[uncaging]

You... ruined their lives?

[She gently pulls her hand away, thinking perhaps it would be best if she found someone else to keep her company if he's going to go on like this.]

I'll remember, I promise. At least, so long as I haven't drunk too much to forget this evening, I will.

[ttlynotabloodmage]

[Jowan relents, feeling awkward now she's pulling away and wishing he hadn't said anything. He shouldn't have said anything, no wonder people didn't want to spend much time with him in the Circle either. He bites down on the instinct to lament that as well, instead directing his gaze down at his hands and awkwardly fumbling with his robe.]

Sorry...

[uncaging]

[Elizabeth sighs, raising one hand to massage her temples, both from the buzz of the alcohol and the way Jowan's brought down the mood. On the one hand she's glad he's warned her, if he really is dangerous, but on the other she wish he hadn't chosen right now to do so.]

I'm not sure what you want me to say. Do you want me to stay away from you?