Where: Balamb Garden Quad.
Who: (In order of Appearance) Irvine Kinneas, Farrell Tennan, Bleak, Selphie Tilmitt, Terra Branford, Squall Leonhart, Vincent Valentine, Raine Leonhart, Rinoa Heartilly, Aerith Gainsborough, Kain Highwind.
Why: A party, actually, for the Balamb crew and others invited. It's a 'live tonight, for tomorrow we die' sort of shindig. At the start of this log, Selphie is bodily dragging Irvine into the Quad to get things started, with Bleak and Farrell following.
Date of Log: July 15-16, 2000.
Irvine is dragged along into the Quad, nodding constantly to Selphie's non-stop
barrage of gushing and talking. He glances over his shoulder a few times to
make sure Bleak is following. This is his responsibility now, right? Still,
the guy appears harmless enough, he won't get into any trouble, right? Tch,
let him have some fun too.
Farrell trails not too far behind, walking silently behind the others as he
normally does. Until attention is brought to him, he'll be in his own world,
thank you very much. That's just how he is.. at least lately.
Bleak has never been to the Garden before, but you wouldn't know it. He still
has yet to cran his neck or take note of anything specifically, or he's just
really aware of his surroundings. The illusion of gliding conveyed both by his
smooth step and long pantlegs extends nicely to decending down steps as well.
Selphie oh!s, and notes over her shoulder to Bleak that, "This is where the
party is!" Duh. Laughing, she trots down the steps still-attached to Irvine.
She's bein' -awful- affectionate tonight! "Mr Bleak said that he'd teach me
how to be perceptive! Isn't that nice?" Again, she forgets he asked to just be
'Bleak.' Ah, well! She talks about Bleak as if he's not there, too. And she's
loud enough to be heard by the subject of conversation, too!
Resisting the urge to facepalm, Irvine wonders if it would be possible to teach
Selphie perceptiveness. Ah well, he loves her just the way she is, even with
the junction-wrought forgetfulness. Reaching toward her hat, he tries to tip
it downward with a slight tug. "Love the outfit tonight." He's noticed
Farrell's snickering, and thusfar hasn't commented on it.
Farrell finds a place to call his own in the expanse of the Quad, standing off
to the side and watching everyone else from not too far off. He's in
conversation distance, if one were to bring him into one. With his hands
behind his back, he might as well be in a SeeD's formal stance as he looks
rather, well, formal. (Insert a shrug by the player here)
That's right! It's not -Selphie's- fault she's so bad. Besides, she wouldn't be
Selphie if she wasn't how she is. Booyah! As the hat is tugged, she gives a
slight "Heeeey!" in response, but it's very, very quickly replaced with a
beam. Yay! Irvy likes her outfit. Tipping the hat brim back up, she sends that
beam up towards the cowboy, "Reeeally? Thanks! I just threw it together," she
lies. She spent a -long- while deciding what to wear, partially due to the
fact she kept getting sidetracked... c_c;
A few random Cadets mingle in the area, some here for the party, some here to
catch the gossip as it happens... Dun dun dun!
Bleak has decided to remain a "Background" figure as well, despite his clearly
different apparel and appearance, he seems able to pull it off quite well. Of
course he remains in conversation range as well, although he seems to be
paying more attention to the escort details than his supposed escort. Very
proper and all. His whispers still reach out from time to time however, "My
intent was to only teach what I know... in this case it is more what is
applicable, and is likely not to interfere with any other instruction. One
cannot be both an axe and a hammer in the same action."
Whoa, that was Zen-ish. And, of course, is totally lost on Irvine. He's not the
world's best escort either, at least not for Bleak. That SeeD just made the
wrong choice of students to shove the job off on, picking one of the more
notorious frivolous types.
Glancing back at Farrell again too, Irvine lifts an eyebrow at his friend,
finding his behavior decidedly 'Squall-like' tonight. "You're not gonna be a
wallflower all night are you?"
Farrell sends a semi-evil glare Irvine's way, smiling also semi-evilly as he
replies. "I'm enjoying myself as it is watching you two fall over yourselves
to compliment each other." Adding a chuckle to that, he adjusts his stance to
one more comfortable, glancing around to see if there's someone he can prey
off of.
The perky girl giggles, pointing back towards Bleak, happily -- whether she's
addressing Irvine, or just making an observation, is anyone's guess. "See!
Listen to him! That sounds -soooo- smart, doesn't it?" She doesn't really know
what it means, of course, besides the obvious image of an axe splitting a nail
in two, and a hammer doing diddly squat to a tree. It -sounds- intelligent,
and that's enough for her. As Irvine speaks to Farrell, though, she glances
back to him as well, detaching herself from Irvine's arm. Aw, poo. She opens
her mouth to second the comment, until Farrell... -talks-. "Tch--Uh!" Fists on
her hips, nose scrunching to the Sour-Grapes Boy, she nyaaa!'s. o_- Oh, that's
real mature. "How's this for a compliment? --Up yooours!" She's still happy,
though! Yeah! Check out that -grin- as she once again attaches herself to
Irvine's arm, this time with -much- more vigor. She's gonna be -prissy-, now.
Bleak may have noted the compliment, he may not have. Certainly he shows no sign
of reacting to it. As for the interchange, he knows it is not his affair at
present... thus he does not make any attempt to make it his business. Simply
put, he remains quiet for now.
Farrell just laughs. Doesn't say anything.. just laughs. This is going to be one
strange night.. it's obvious. Everyone seems to be in some sort of funk
lately. Of couse, Selphie in a funk would just be her even happier than
usual.. which explains the way she is now. With that in mind, that's what
keeps him from saying anything.
Irvine snorts derisively at Farrell's comment regarding himself and Selphie.
"Yeah, whatever. You can watch all you want to, just can't take part." He
winks mischieviously, getting his arm free to wrap it around Selphie's waist
and draw her in a little closer. Aw, how sweet. Welcome to the everyday
teenage baloney that goes on amongst the kids of Garden, Bleak. Sure they can
kick butt and take names, but off the battlefield, hormones and the social
pecking order can't be ignored.
Selphie doesn't look too against the idea of getting brought closer, since she
giggles and all. "You tell 'im," she cheers to the Cowboy. She's even about to
say something else, too, when -- hey! Someone's playing with her lightnnig
board. c_c Cutting herself off even before she -talks-, the girl "HEY!"s,
pulling away from Irvine to jog over towards the snooping cadet. "Shoo, shoo!"
She even makes shoo'ing noises to the boy, who looks -- well -- frightened for
his life, once he hears Selphie. He scrambles away, but not before hitting one
of the buttons...! Thankfully, it just turns on the colored lights on the
stage, adding to the Amber lights that're already on. "--Errg--! Hrmph." Catch
up, if you can. n_-
Bleak knows better than to get involved in this, the thought of somehow being a
Chaperone by sheer happenstance occurs to him. His gaze shifts to the stage as
it lights up, however his awareness of the activity near what he recongizes as
some manner of control panel suggests this is an accident... and not a cue for
any sort of show to start. He glides next to Farrell, "An energetic young
woman, is she usually like this?" snakes its way out from somewhere.
Farrell looks over at Bleak, the smile not even close to being gone from his
face. Nodding, he replies with "Nah, she's just getting warmed up. You'll just
have to ignore her and hope she goes away or just smile and nod whenever she
gets out of hand." Chuckling with that, he actually hopes she heard him.
Even if Selphie doesn't, Irvine did. He mock glares at Farrell, figuring his
friend is joking as he usually does. However, he doesn't retaliate for
Selphie, loping off to join her at the lighting board. She's a big girl, after
all, and is in fact older then he is... and a SeeD. Sheesh, you'd think he'd
have gotten an inferiority complex yet. "Anything broken? Need me to beat
anyone up, darlin'?"
Perception may not be her strongest trait in most circumstances, but when it
comes to hearing things that would be bad for her to hear -- whether Farrell
wanted her to, or not -- she's got -mad- skills. Which! She uses, and sends a
glare over to Farrell -in synch- with Irvine, unknowingly. "-Ignore him-," she
says Bleak-wards, "Mr Bleak. He's just sore 'cause he's not with a very, very
cute girl! Right Irvy~?" Hee. She can't lose, here! Glancing to the Lighting
Board, however, she reports that, "Nope! Not yet anyway, but I'll keep ya
around just in case!" Teehee. Man, she's... -very- energetic tonight.
Bleak considers Farrell's words, and his own observations. Saying nothing more
for now he wonders if perhaps despite having the instruction to channel such
energies... it is not his own path. In any event, such instruction should
prove a challenge and give him direction... something he has been looking for
sicne the converganvces.
Farrell grins and turns his back to Selphie so she has a harder time hearing his
now whispering voice as he continues talking to Bleak. "Actually, she just
-thinks- she's cute. It's an image that she tries to keep but fails most of
the time." Bleak has been officially dragged into the whole thing now. At
least the two of them have something to do.
Irvine plays along with Selphie's little game, seeing no real harm in it. A
little louder then he normally would speak, he ahems and says, "I think you're
right, Selphie, we should find him a girl. Maybe he'd _stop brooding_ off like
a wallflower." Never encourage Selphie to play matchmaker... but that's
another story. He watches his friend lean in to say something to Bleak,
lifting an eyebrow. Hey, that's no fair.
Bleak remembers "cute" vaugely has something to do with infants and fuzzy
bunnies. His peception of the intended meaning helps him out some, "Many have
said it before, and I will repeat it after my own fashion... perception is
everything, whether a perception is pleasant or not depends entirely on whom
interprets the perception. Every being perceives everything in a different
manner, and is entitled to their own interpretation." the change of subjects
is almost as smooth as a Formula-1 driver shifting gears, "I could not help
but notice that your hands bear the marks that could only be from thier use as
weapons..."
Selphie ga-rins. Not just grins, Ga-rins. Yeah, Selphie can look -pretty-
kaniving when she wants to, and boy... She wants to now! "Mm-HMM." Hands on
her hips, she -nods-, hat jostling. "He's -so- totally jealous," she insists,
even as she reeeaches over to the Sound Board -- flicking the muzak on. Yep!
Music! It -just so happens- that the song first on the playlist is some whiney
country song about wanting a woman to hold n'love, or some such. She doesn't
even -notice-, as she pops back up in front of Irvy, happily. "I hope Squall
shows up!" She forgets, for the moment, about Irvine.
Farrell nods at Bleak's brief speech, completely disregarding Selphie to allow
her time to get mad at being ignored. "I can't agree more," he says before
allowing the change of subjects to take place. Looking at his hands, palms
first then the tops, he nods again. "Yeah. I find that hand-to-hand combat is
more important than weapon combat. Because when the weapons fail, the hands
prevail." He clenches his fists just for the hell of it.
Hey, country, just what Irvine likes. He, at least, doesn't have a problem with
the musical selection. (Though the player is twitching, and listening to
Tonic, mind you.) Reaching down for Selphie's hands, he shakes his head at the
mention of Squall, "He's not exactly Mr. Sociality, darlin'. Don't be too
disappointed if he doesn't." After seeing Squall before the meeting last
night, the gunman doesn't expect to see him here at all, knowing this thing is
eating at him.
Bleak nods slightly, "If you mean blades, staves, and the like of course...
after all, with proper skill even words can be a potent addition to ones
arsenal. Each must find thier own weapons of choice naturally... it can be
either comforting or frightening given the fact that anything can be turned
into a weapon. But tell me, am I to understand your instruction took place
within this Garden?" Bleak still keeps the impression of peacefulness about
him, what little of that can get into his whispers does.
Selphie likes most all types of music! Except that scary stuff where people
shout mean things into the microphone. ;.; Ahem. Having no reason to pull her
hands away from Irvine's, she suddenly finds that -- gasp! -- her hands are
taken! She takes it in tride, as if it didn't even happen -- and that's mainly
because she's getting used to this affection bit. "Wee~eell," she half-whines,
glancing to the entrance, "He -said- he'd try... And it'd -totally- be good
for him! Vincey, too!" Nodnodnod! Most of the people gathered are kinda eyeing
Selphie, since -she- made the music come on... But she ignores them. Nya. "-Oh
well-," she half-sighs, "We're gonna have fun. Right? Right!" n_n
Farrell shakes his head. "No. Actually, I first learned to fight in Galbadia's
Garden. And while I've been here I've just been fine tuning, you could say.
The training center can be a great place if you know how to watch your back."
Grinning, he eyes Irvine and Selphie, wanting to say something so badly. But
there's a time and place for everything. And even though anywhere is as good a
place as any, now's not the time. Oh well.. there's always a few hours from
now.
And the couple are probably providing Farrell with plenty of jeering material
too. Irvine certainly doesn't mind affection, getting it or giving it, and
since he's no longer practicing on the female populace in general, all of it
ends up being done to Selphie. Drawing her in toward him, he grins at her
wolfishly, "Well, we'll see... if he shows up, great, if not, well, you've
always got me." Bleak is totally forgotten at this point. What a great escort
he makes.
Bleak smiles gently, "Indeed... I had wished to see the places where instruction
and training took place. However it is the standing policy that I do not have
access to such. to be fair I am both an outsider and unknown, so I am hardly
offended." he finalyl does physically gaze about the Quad, using his neck. "In
some ways this place reminds me of where I was raised, but that is of little
import..."
Oh, Selphie's eating this up like Zell does to those yuckie hotdogs. "I -do-
have you, -don't- I! How silly of me to forgeeet!" Of course, it seems more
the opposite, but no matter. -She- forgets about Mr Bleak for the moment, too,
but when -doesn't- she forget about something? She remembers hearing once that
the human mind can only hold 7 topics at one time, and anything new bumps
something else out. THe number is much lower for poor Selphie, especially in
Irvine's presence! "Shouldn't we be... -dancing-?" She says, sounding cocky
and smart-ass-y. Hee.
Farrell shrugs. "Yeah, the rules and regulations around here are rather strict.
In some cases more than they should be.. but I really can't complain. Little
of it really makes my life all too stressful so I don't say anything." Don't
expect him to ask about Bleak's past as he has little care or desire to know.
"Yes," is Irvine's rather short response, pulling Selphie out into the spotlight
of a dancefloor so far left bereft of dancers. Nothing wrong with getting
things started, and one thing Irvine can do that Squall can't (without Rinoa's
guidance, anyway) is dance. Even with that duster on. Now both Bleak _and_
Farrell are forgotten. Selphie must be rubbing off on him.
Bleak seems to examine those present, and smiles gently, "Indeed... some plants
may not grow straight if they are not bound, and thus becoem twisted and
useless. Bind them too tightly however, and they strangle." his focus shifts
back to Farrell, "So there is more than one of these "Gardens?"
Selphie's evil play is almost complete! Bwahaha--Er. Yes. So -- dancing! She can
dance! Yes-o-yes, can she. Especially in pants. Which -is- one of the reason
she wore -pants- tonight, so she could cut loose and stuff, and not worry
about... Well, yeah. Giggling as the realization that they're the only ones on
the dance floor hits her, Selphie is -that more inclined- to dance -well-!
She's a Leo -- sue her. (Birthday tomorrow! Everyone remember! n_-) As they
dance, idle stragglers glance over -- some of the girls tugging on unwilling
guys arms, some -guys- tugging on unwilling -girls- arms, etc., etc.
"Whoohoo!"
It takes him a minute, but after thinking about it, Farrell answers the question
with "I'm not sure." Sighing, he continues, "There used to be three, as far as
I know.. but with the world the way it is, I've only heard of one being
around.." he trails off. Now you've got him thinking of his old Garden again.
Good work.
Bleak nods slightly, having little choice but to whisper his end of the
conversation with Farrell, "From what I have heard, there are still isntances
of towns appearing overnight... no doubt the convergance is not quite finished
and both of our... original homes might be restored in time. If you will
excuse me, I believe I shall investigate the refreshments. Perhaps I could
obtain something for you while I am doing so?"
Farrell smiles at Bleak's terminology. "No thanks," he says as he brings a
gloved hand up in refusal. "I'm probably going to wander around for a few."
Once said, he actually starts to edge toward a perpendicular wall. At least he
can say he talked with someone tonight. :)
Terra walks down the steps into the quad, looking around hesitantly. She really
feels like she ought to be doing something else, working on the plans for the
field base, training, studying, something. But... well... ._. She did sign up
for the Festival Committee, so she arrives to put in her appearance. And yes,
she is rather, ah, overdressed for the occasion, perhaps. It's a dress that
was fashionable in Deling City about two years ago. c_c That's how come she
could afford to buy it without selling off Relm.
On the dance floor, though other couples have begun to occupy it as well, and
others are slowly being convinced, cajoled or forced out toward it, Irvine and
Selphie appear to be enjoying their time at the party already. (Big surprise
there.) They even appear to be able to actually *gasp* dance well enough not
to fall all over one another. (Though that wouldn't bother the gunman much
either, mind you.) For the moment, Irvine seems to be concentrating on Selphie
alone, as if he'd sell his soul for this moment with her... love is a quirky
thing, no?
Bleak nods politly to Farrell, then gliding a path through the groups of people
socializing in the area surrounding the dance floor. His destination one of
the tables bearing refreshments of course. His ability to respect the personal
space of others (Re: Avoid and stay out of the way) holding up sufficently
that he rarely comes within an arms-length of anyone before reaching the table
(Well there was that near-miss with some poor guy bringing his buddies some
drinks, but no harm was turly done), which he begins to carefully examine said
refreshments upon it...he is not facing the proper direction to take note of
Terra's entrance unfortunatly.
Too bad he's already signed that soul away to Selphie, for eternity. Nyahahaha.
--Erm. Yes, well, Selphie -- while succeeding in dancing and all -- has angled
herself so that she may watch the entrance! She's paying -alot- of attention
to Irvine, mind you, boggling merely over the fact that he's not stepping on
her feet, but she -does- notice Terra when she enters, sparing a little
wavewave and beam Terra-wards. Whether she notices, is a different story.
Glancing back up at Irvine, she idly wonders if perhaps she's -under- dressed.
Hrrmm~. And -just- as she's lost in thought, Irvine would probably notice an
annoyed young boy approaching the couple, and a group of snickering boys not
far behind, watching. Hrmm. >_>
Terra looks around and... starts to drive over towards the refreshments,
wherever they might be. She hasn't eaten anything in a while, anyway, and she
always likes cookies. Let's just hope no one spiked the punch. It would be...
embarrasing to be hung over tomorrow.
Hmmm? What's this? Irvine, who has sold his soul to the Demon Selphie
unwittingly, doesn't notice Terra, actually, until he catches Selphie waving
at her. He grins in Terra's general direction, but soon enough is back to
paying attention to Selphie, and making sure he's not stepping on her toes. At
least until the 'Annoyed Young Boy' suddenly makes his entrance into the
scene. The gunman lifts an eyebrow at him in askance, pausing the dance with
Selphie for a moment. He doesn't want trouble, but this doesn't look good.
Annoyed Young Boy stops somewhat close to Irvine, fidgeting. The group'o
encouraging boys jeers in the background, even as AYB asks, obviously
unwillingly, "--Uh, Mr. Irvine Kinneas, uh, sir, do you think I could, uh,
sir, like, uh, cut in?" He sideglances to the group, who thumps-up him. Stupid
kids!
Selphie, meanwhile, blinks rapidly at this scene. The urge to go and change into
something more formal stops nagging her for the moment, so that she may ask,
intelligently, "Wha?" o_o
Bleak took a bit longer than most in serving himself some punch, odd... in any
event it is hard not to notice Terra's approach to the Refreshments table.
While the scene on the dance floor is registered and monitored somewhat, for
now he simply serves another glass of punch... clearly not for himself. He
doesn't appear to have taken interest in any of the food however, either not
hungry or a picky eater...who can tell?
Terra shifts from foot to foot uneasily, pouring herself a cup of punch and
sipping it lightly. Then, she takes a cookie, before nibbling it and turning
to watch the dance floor. Eep. Yes, she certainly -is- overdressed. But she
thinks she threw out her, erm, 'Kefka harem girl' outfit, so it was this or
the regular uniform.
Irvine's first thought is to chase Annoyed Young Boy off. 'No you may _not_ cut
in and dance with MY Selphie' But, luckily rationality takes over for a
moment, realizing that might look rather possessive of him. He glances over at
the boys encouraging this lad and he frowns slightly. Hrmph. So, instead he
looks at Selphie, trying really hard to be nonchalant about the whole thing,
"Up to you, darlin'. You can dance with him or I'll chase him off."
Of course, he'd rather chase the boy off. But, he doesn't say so.
Hopefully there are no video cameras this time, because Squall makes his way
into the Quad, looking about as thrilled as a mashed turnip with a side
garnish. In uniform, still, and with enough of an expression of interest to
make fun possible, he slows and keeps to the perimeter. Have to make an
appearance, apparently.
Farrell is leaning against the wall, away from the majority of the people, one
knee bent with his foot pressed against the wall and his arms crossed. There
really isn't anyone here that he knows.. if there is, they're occupied.
Speaking of which, he glances at Irvine and Selphie every once and a while and
does, in fact, feel left out. But who's fault is that? Just don't ask him or
he may get a bit overdefensive.
Bleak doesn't frown, heck his "peaceful" demeanor and expression shows not
cracks as of yet. Still, the second cup of punch looks a touch lonely as he
leaves it sitting on the refreshments table. Whether Terra has noticed him or
not, he nods politly in passing anyways... (Given she is clearly different
from most of the others here, either a fellow "guest" or some higher-up in the
Garden. Either way worth akcnowledgement.) gliding steps taking him simply
away from the refreshments table, not really out to mingle... who would he
really mingle with anyways?
Terra finishes off her dainty little cookie with dainty little nibbles. Oh, eek,
Squall. Maybe she's been procrastinating too much and ought to get back to
work now. ._.; Mm. She has time to finish up her punch though... it's really
quite good.
Selphie does a wonderfully good job of twisting peoples words, and their
meanings, too! Which would explain why she looks at the Annoying Young Boy
-oddly-, and ask -- slowly -- as if she hadn't even -heard- Irvine, "You wanna
dance with Irvine...?" Riiight. As the AYB looks rather taken aback, then
-very- defensive ('No, nonono! He looks like a girl, sure, but I'm not -that-
bad!'), Selphie sorta... Looks past him, again catching another person's
entrance -- namely, Squall! And despite the scene around her, she -waaaves-,
and calls out towards the Commander, happily. Hoahboy. "--Sqaaa~aaaaull!" To
herself, or anyone listening, she asides, "He -did- come! Whoo!", then another
shout, "Over hee~eere!" Sure enough, she and Irvine are on the dance floor.
Huh. Bleak, you'd -better- work on that perception of hers. c_c
Squall's head jerks up at the stretched call of his name, and he offers a wave.
He does not, however, budge from what would be considered the 'wall' of the
group, the area beyond which he could be snagged for something embarrasing. He
looks over the crowd a moment, noting faces.
Farrell looks up at the calling of Squall's name, following Selphie's glance
across the room, he catches glimpse of the 'Commander' and winces. There goes
the neighborhood. One thing he's like to actually talk to Squall about with
him, though is what exactly everyone will be doing tomorrow. He's sure Irvine
would like to know the same thing. Maybe he'll do his friend a favor and ask
for him.
Huh? The look on Irvine's face is one of complete confusion. He shrugs
helplessly at the AYB as Selphie's two second attention span is once again
directed elsewhere, this time toward Squall. The cowboy has no idea where she
got the idea that AYB wanted to dance with _him_. And he _doesn't_ look like a
girl, just slightly effeminate... right? Uh... Putting a hand on Selphie's
shoulder, Irvine tries to bring her attention back to her present immediate
surroundings.
Terra decides to make her way over towards Squall as well, sipping at her punch
and clicking lightly on the Quad floor with her heels. Why yes, she is a
little over dressed c.c But she wanted to ask him something anyway. Although
it's a bit more complex than the simple 'what am I doing'; it's more like
'when do I leave to do this and THEN what else do I do?'
Squall looks fairly...wary as Terra approaches. He's just made up his mind to
try the punch, or at least have something like a prop in his hands as he
stands around (maybe he won't get asked to dance if he's holding
something...well, like that helped before). He pauses, watching Terra
expectantly.
Selphie was, undoubtedly, a humming-bird in her past life. As Squall doesn't
approach -- not that she really expected him to, but... she's optimistic! --
and Irvine places a hand on her shoulder, she blinks back to the cowboy,
blankly. o_o "Huh?" Then to the Annoying Young Boy. Oh -yeah-. Beaming at the
boy, who seems... disgruntled, as the group of boys behind him snicker madly,
Selphie shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm greedy! Go find another guy to dance
with!" Tee. Hee. AYB, meanwhile, retreats back to the group... to be
laughed/prodded/etc'ed at. Sending that same beam up to Irvine, she even
changes the smile to a -toothy- one. Hoah, boy. She doesn't need to -say-
anything, 'cause she just -radiates- the phrase, 'It made him go away, right?'
Bahaha. --Be thankful, Squall, that Irvine is distracting her. But he can't
-all- the time...
Bleak keeps part of his awareness on the Dance Floor scene, but also keeps to
himself for now. He noted Squall's "Announced" entrance, but certainly he
would know if the man wished to speak with him. for now observation is perhaps
his best option, which he takes to with little hesitation. A slight sip of
punch.
Irvine can't help but laugh, suddenly beginning to see the dawning of Selphie's
deviousness. Then comes the distinct feeling that he's getting himself in way
over his head with this girl... oh well. Taking her hand, he pulls her back
into step immediately, before another AYB can come along and try to cut in.
The dance floor has begun to fill up, however, the song having just changed
during the AYB incident. Something cute and mushy and sappy for a good slow
dance. Watch out all you men trying to avoid female contact and vice versa.
Terra may be wearing a red dress but she's not going to scheme against Squall in
any way, shape, or form. Click click click click. At least she doesn't have
that predatory sort of expression that Rinoa did at another particular dance.
*sip* "Sir," she says in a rather businesslike tone, "I wanted to ask you a
few questions if you aren't busy at the moment." Sir, here, being Squall.
Presumably.
Squall narrows his eyes a bit at Terra; either from her outfit (unlikely, he's
clueless that way) or from what he thinks she's going to be asking. "If it has
to do with work, I'm off," he says, forcing a smile. "How's the punch?" he
cunter-inquires, noticing the dress now and adding, "I guess I'm glad I came
in uniform. Nice dress."
Farrell breaks from his now warm part of the wall and straightens his stance
before slowly making his way toward one of the few people he truly despises.
But he's at least willing to try again before determining that Squall is a
total jerk. Of course, their first meeting wasn't all too great to say the
least, but that was a while ago, henceforth the second attempt. Anyway, he's
on course for the 'jerk.' Let's just hope that it's a wise move on his part.
Ooh, ooh, look! Her eye -gleam!s-. Maybe it's best if it's -not- seen, though.
But! It doesn't last very long, since she's tugged into step of a o/~ slo~ow
so~ong o/~. Which she doesn't mind, of course, since Irvine has yet to step on
her toes. And as much as she may enjoy this certain slow-dance with Irrrrvy,
she can't -help-! but peek around him to Squall -- and is -happy- to see that
he's -talking- to someone. Terra, even! Beam. Of course, seeing that dress on
her really makes her want to go back to her room and change... Though it only
now dawns on her that she has nothing close to fancy, sans the SeeD uniform.
>_> She may be your typical girl and all, but heck if she shops for things
that don't come in useful very often. So, there! Her cow-girl get up with do,
for now. Read: Purple tank-top, kahkis, cowboy boots, and hat. Nya. Ha. Ha.
Terra blinks a couple of times, and looks down. Well, it does seem to be,
doesn't it? "Thank you," she says in a rather confused way. "Ah.. it's very
good, I think." She takes another sip. Of course, to the unenlightened, it
might be overly fruity or sweet... comparisons to Irvine and Selphie would be,
you know, mean-spirited. And she'll just stand over here in the designated
wallflower section, since the punch isn't so good that she's just chugging it
down.
Vincent then enters, though he's keeping to the background. Unlike some people
who've made an effort to have other clothing for the party... Vincent doesn't.
Ah well. He stays to the background for the moment, letting the sounds assault
him, getting used to the scene. He's made an appearance. He seems interested.
That's more than many would hope for in a public appearance for Vincent.
Squall seems content to stand near Terra, eyeing the punchbowl from afair. The
change in music doesn't affect him much, though... when he sees Vincent's
subdued entry, you might wonder if he was keeping an eye out, or had installed
Vincent Detection gear in his belt. Turning abruptly to red-clad woman near
him, he blurts, "Terra, do you want to dance?" What kind of despiration does
he have, anyway?
Noticing Selphie peeking around him to see Squall, Irvine can't help but
chuckle, reaching down to draw Selphie's chin up with a finger so she's
looking at him. "He's fine, darlin'. I think Squall knows how to handle
himself." Besides, though Irvine likes him well enough, Squall currently
represents a certain, possible task that the gunman really wants to forget. So
no, he's in no hurry to rush over toward the Commander. Sugary sweetness
galore, no insult there, Terra.
Bleak isn't really a wallflower, he's just acting the part. While he does move
through the area surrounding teh dance floor, he doesn't mingle... almost
seeming to make a concious effort to avoid people. Or perhaps it is
unconcious... like Vincent he has no truly "Formal" or even informal clothing,
merely what he brougth with him. Another slight sip of punch, at this rate he
may never have to return to refill thatc up.
Terra blinks a couple of times, and looks more... puzzled than anything else.
Although she's not ignorant enough to avoid some minor embarrasement. "Excuse
me?" she says, taking another sip of her punch. She rests it on a nearby
outcropping of decorative masonry, so as to let her hand relax. If truly
desperate measures are needed to avoid Vincent's dread reports, she can be
dragged onto the dance floor, of course; she's not exactly going to resist a
superior officer's dance command.
Raine steps into the quad alone and glances around at all the students and staff
here. She recognizes a few...but mostly everyone appears as strangers and she
remains at the entrance as she takes this time to decide where to go now.
Guess how many dances she's been to...? c.c
"Well, I, uh, asked if you wanted to dance, the music's sort of changed to
that," Squall tries to explain. True, he's sort of been practicing as he could
a while ago, considering his first dance with Rinoa, but it wasn't quite
prepwork for dancing with -other- girls. He coughs, and then smiles
pleasantly. Or what he thinks is pleasantly. It is, but he has odd ideas about
smiles.
Selphie yuh-oh's. Caught! Blinkblinking widely up at The Cowboy as he moves her
gaze up to -him- -- greedy bastage! -- she purses her lips, nodding slightly.
"--Yee~eeah," she drawls, somehow -not- peeking another glance, "I -guess-."
Gee, THANKS, Irvine. She missed Squall asking someone to dance. Oh, well!
Being that she doesn't know what she's missing -- aagh!, and now she missed
Vincent's entrance, too! Irvine will pay! -- she merely beams, trusting his
grip on her enough to do a little mock-Tango dip. "Whoo-!" Okay, so it's
during a slow song. Big deal. She -does-, as she 'dips,' sneak a peek at the
scene she was watching earlier. >_> Sly! Unfortunately, she can't lipread, so
Squall's question to Terra is lost. She -does- see Vincey, though! --And...
somehow... holds herself back... from waving, and yelling. Damn you, Irvine!
n_n
Terra blinks a couple of times, and then says, like she'd just been asked to
come look at this nifty little bug - in other words, intellectual interest but
minimal emotion (yay for science!) - "I suppose, if you want. I don't really
know how, though." She's never... ever! This is in fact true, although it
would kinda balm the Commander in Chief's ego, most likely. She does know
enough to add, "You lead," at the end.
Rolling his eyes, Irvine isn't quite as easily distracted as Selphie is, and he
knows what she's up to as she dives into the little 'dip'. Pulling her back up
again, he discreetly gives up, starting to draw her out of the crowd on the
dance floor. "I can see now, you need to get your socialness in, hmm,
darlin'?" He's not upset, far from it by the that annoying little smile on his
lips. Ah well, he will have his Selphie later, oh yes, he will.
Bleak has ceased his wanderings now, and simply closed his eyes. No, he's not
asleep on his feet (As the slight sip of punch from that cup can attest to),
but more likely focusing on what he hears in order to better enjoy the music.
His "At peace" expression seems to relax a bit... venturing into "content"
territory.
Vincent isn't here to deliver dread reports. He's not here to break up the
party... He's just, here. What more does one want? He doesn't even seem to be
looking for anyone in particular... except maybe Lucrecia, though it's
inevitable that he will be approaching most anyone... eventually. Unless
they're on the dance floor. Sigh. Well, in any event, the man finds himself
looking at Raine who'd just entered. Pretty close by, so he nods idly in
absent greeting before turning to look at the crowd. Then is where he notices
Squall, Terra... and even Selphie and Irvine a moment later as his attention
wanders. Approach? Nah. He just stands there, watching the gathering. Maybe
omenish implications can be made, with words like Death and Looming, and
Sinister... But swear to the heavens, Vincent doesn't mean to imply those sort
of things!
Squall feels more like... oh great, more leading. But he holds his smile as he
offers to lead Terra out on the dancefloor. That whole intellectual thing
works for him as well, but he seems to be more social than usual tonight.
There's a moment of remembering what the hand placement for leading is, and
then a moment of realizing he has his hand around some other woman's waist,
then he commences dancing. Not brilliantly, but it's a lot better than
graduation.
.
"Whoo-hoo!" Selphie doesn't even bother with a verbal 'sorry,' instead opting to
deliver a quick peck! on his cheek (after much tip-toe-standing), as she
instead starts to drag -him- towards the wallflowers. Of course, halfway
there, she... passes... Squall? And Terra? o_o No -way-. Watching them as she
continues tugging Irvine towards -- Dum dum dum! -- Vincent, she spares a
little, "Whoohoo! Go Squall!" towards the dancing couple. Oh -- Hi Rinoa. n_-
Ahem. Waving to Vincent even before she -reaches- him, he should at least
consider the fact that at least she's not dragging him around. ...Yet.
"Vincey~! Shyeah, I didn't think I'd see you!" Beam. "Booyaka -- this is
-awesome-!" Somewhere in there, she shows her happiness by further making
Irvine's night -- and huugs his arm, idly. She's affectionate tonight. >_> A
little... -too- affectionate.
Terra is, well, dancing with Squall. Fortunately for the likelihood of her face
meeting Angelo's doggy dish, she doesn't seem to be in Romance Mode (despite
the red dress) and is dancing with... well, it's like she's doing a folk dance
instead of anything romantic. One two -three-, one two -three-, one two
-three-. She's also letting Squall lead, for better or worse. In the course of
the various turns of the minuet-ish dance, she observes Rinoa, although this
information is not being shared as of yet... why would Rinoa be unhappy about
her dancing with Squall anyway? (Ah, innocence.)
Vincent gets... Approached. "Hello." he answers back to Selphie's
overenthusiastic greeting. Well, better Irvine's arm than his own, hmm?
Vincent appreciates this fact very well. He glances for a moment at the youth
Selphie drags after in her wake, before looking to the girl again. "Then the
party is going well." This is almost a statement.
Squall doesn't know folk, he's just been taught what Rinoa's taught him, after
that fairly fateful first dance, and -is- leading in a waltz. It's not a bad
one, and he's busy trying to remember if conversation happens while dancing.
At Selphie's loud encouragement, he finally trips to what he's doing and goes
scarlet. "Uh... so..." he tries, sending Selphie a brief scowl. "You're about
as bad as I was first time." Ho boy.
It's strange. You'd think a six foot tall cowboy could keep up with a woman
nearly a foot shorter then he is, but no. Selphie's exuberance far outweigh's
the gunman's, and Irvine does rather feel like he's being dragged through the
growing crowd in the Quad toward.... Vincent? He reaches up with his free
hand, holding the hat down as it nearly falls off... twice. When Selphie
finally _does_ come to a halt, he nearly bumps into her with momentum still
carrying him forward. Glancing up, he gives Vincent a bit of a sheepish smile,
remembering him well... heh, and wishing right now that he could climb under
the nearest table and hide there. Why him?
Bleak remains standing alone, eyes closed as he continues to enjoy the music
alone... expression still somewhere between "At Peace" and "Content." Well, at
least he isn't swaying to the music...
Ahh, there's nothing quite like going stag to a party. Heh, especially when upon
entering, you find your boyfriend dancing with someone else. Well, no sense in
making a scene so quickly, so instead when Rinoa enters, she doesn't give
Squall more than a glance. Instead, she searches the ballroom for other likely
dance partners. Bleak. Hmm. What the hey? She heads in his direction