It's Swing Time~

[cipherspeak]

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Elisha's motivation for organizing - or, honestly, delegating the organization of - a semi-formal dance party. Lucinda had suggested a ball, with stars in her eyes. She probably had already picked out ballgowns and themes in her head when Elisha had nixed the thing and - in a moment of desperation, with the memory of the swing-themed Fox wedding still in his head - suggest a Spring Swing, instead.

Everyone had run with it, and Elisha was pleased to say it had come out well. He was even more pleased to say that he didn't have to wear a suit, even if he stepped out into the lantern-lit gardens in everything but the tie. He paused near the raised dais provided for dancing and gave the small band the signal to start up the music before he attempted to fade back in the crowd. Not that that ever worked.

"Let the games begin," he murmured to no one in particular as he picked up a glass of champagne off a tray.

Note: Open to everyone and their brother; tag around, have fun!

Comments

[somuchheart]

It's more daring than usual. But hey, it's a Spring Swing. Rebirth or something like that. She's a new Blythe.

Or, at least, an old Blythe with new clothes. She's totally at ease (not really) in the lace dress, the stockings, the shoes. And there's a smile on her face as she pointedly avoids the dance floor. Look. Food in her hand. She can't possibly dance.

[falsepretences]

It is more daring than usual. It's daring enough that Jordan raises an eyebrow underneath his rakishly tilted fedora and just stares at the Ace of Hearts for a moment before he straightens away from the post he's holding up and....steals her canape.

There goes her excuse.

"They're playing our song, Blythe." Well, they're playing a song. They can pretend it's theirs.

[headfollowheart]

It had taken an almost startling lack of convincing to get Victor to agree to come to the dance - Zoe had just mentioned that she'd like to go, and Victor had nodded and said that they would. But it was, she supposed, swing, and thrown by one of her husband's best friends. And his other best friend is coming, too. She fully expects they'll wander off with whiskey at some point.

Now, though, she wanders along the garden paths in a lace dress and sensible pumps for dancing, a glass of white wine in her hand as she looks at the decorations the Clubs have come up with. Probably Elani, she thinks. Elisha has never struck her as the elegant party type.

[standlikestone]

"Zoe! Zoe, Zoe, oh my god." Have a Riley running to throw her arms around you, swaying ridiculously. "You need to save me from these things. I just saw Hazel." Pause. "I mean, like, saw Hazel. And I thought a garter was bad of me."

[onlytolerable]

Sophie's been looking forward to the spring dance--a rare feeling for her. She's happy not to mess with formal gowns and shoes and hair and instead be wearing sensible shoes and her hair pulled back in a bouncy ponytail. She even likes her dress (though that doesn't stop her from periodically tugging the hem downward).

She likes even more her own little family, Adrien looking scrumptious (not that she'll admit that, mind) and Sitara adorable in blue.

"Evan told me he brought in bouncy castles," she tells the little girl. She stands up on tiptoe and looks for them. "Over there, I think."

[bluntforces]

Of course he brought bouncy castles. A man can't promise bouncy castles and not bring bouncy castles. There are even two. Sitara gets to pick what she bounces on like a loon--or, given her family, like a dignified but happy little girl.

Which means that Sophie is going to get her hand stolen at some point when it isn't being clung to by a little girl.

"You look lovely, darling."

[lowtohigh]

There had been a fairly masterful plan. It had involved a neutral dress and a few bottles of dye and fabric paint to make something really a bit crazy.

But white dresses had been vetoed and Argine had been rather sharp about guarding the garment against alterations. On the bright side, that had resulted in a bit of actual mother-daughter conversation about things other than being grounded and what colour looked best with pale features.

So Eileen's stuck wearing a fairly neutral blue dress, yes, and hoping that her hair is enough of an identifier for Leigh. The dress, of course, has very little to do with her being in a much better mood than she has been in the last few weeks.

Dances are just... fun. Nothing wrong with enjoying that, right?

[allthesamemask]

Leigh had been rather more successful at convincing Säde to go for dramatics, so she's wearing a fairly dark green dress with enough neon trimmings to almost blind someone looking from space. The Queen of Diamonds isn't attending, so there's no need to act particularly prim- at least, not to the extent that it would get back to her.

Still, she's gotten tall enough to look out for reasonably-sized young ladies with blue flowers in their hair. And ideally should have tapped the right young lady on the shoulder.

[maidenthespade]

When King of Clubs says casual, he is meaning casual, and so it is Queen of Spades arrives at Club dance wearing not dress, but 50s pin-up style complete with short-shorts and dark stockings and ever-present smirk as she hears occasional indrawn breath. It is nearly as fun as when she took part in carnival kissing booth.

She finds her cohort at last and tsks when she sees him wearing jacket. "You disappoint me, Ilyusha."

[cipherspeak]

"Do I?" He says as he turns with a raised eyebrow, and then he glances down at the jacket. "Ah, this. Yes, I tried, really, but I was caught on the way out by the butler. I decided his services were needed tonight, and I really ought not induce a heart attack."

It was the good of the Suit, after all. Katya understood.

"It can come off if I get a dance, though." Only fair. And it's probably warm up on the dance floor, under all the lights.

[bluntforces]

Of course Evan McCartney is at the dance. Of course he's dressed up with sensible shoes. Of course he's going to be dancing up a storm.

But way more important?

Of course he brought moon bounces. Of course one is a castle and one is a pirate ship. And of course at least part of the evening is going to be spent mooning jealously over being too tall (and old) to play in them.

[standlikestone]

Sometimes she can just slip up and press her cheek to his from behind without being outrageous, right? She hums softly, pressing a kiss to the corner of her lips. "Help me keep my mind off things."

[butneverbreak]

Rita is a lot of things. She's sharp, she's smart, she's just a little dangerous when she sets her mind to it. She's comfortable in terrifying shoes and old-fashioned lacings.

And she's pretty damn good at swing dancing.

Which means that there are very few people who won't, at some point or other, be approached by a woman in an appropriately dramatic dress, severely bright lips pulled into a pleased smile with the easy demand for a dance.

[intotherough]

It wouldn't surprise him in the least if someone told him that Rita James was good at every kind of dancing there is. In particular, he wouldn't be surprised about swing - there's something energetic and sharp about both the dance and the lady.

He does pause a bit in sipping his drink when she stops in front of him.

"I dinna know if I quite match up to a lady as lovely as you," he says in his musical brogue. "But it'd be rude not to try, I'm thinking."

[intotherough]

He had closed up the pub for the evening, which pretty much meant that the regulars had trailed in the direction of free alcohol - and then, much to Ben's endless amusement, been snatched up by single girls for dancing. There was always a price, he thought as he acquired a glass of excellent whisky - Elisha Kagan could be counted on for that. Unless, of course, you were clever enough to avoid it, and he was doing just that by skimming along the edge of the crowd, dressed semi-appropriately.

Some one should really call him out on that.

[lowtohigh]

Showing up was, certainly, 80% of life. It might even count for slightly more when it came to marks for participation. No one would say Ben wasn't receiving more than a passing grade for the evening.

But Eileen had always been a helper. And helpers just want to see their friends receive top marks in life. Is that so wrong?

"Have you finished skulking yet?"

[cutslikeaspade]

Swing wasn't really his forte, but Ethan had decided to attend regardless, if only for the lack of socialization otherwise. He noted he wasn't the only one not sporting a tie and had to grin. Nooses were for criminals, God.

The place looked amazing, however; he kept silent vigil at one of the small candlelit tables some distance away from the stage, preferring to just watch for the moment, as he smoked a rare cigarette. Brandy at his elbow, the Spade leaned back in his chair, ankles crossed, simply soaking up the ambiance.

[lowtohigh]

Surely he wouldn't object to company. Surely he wouldn't mind one of the chairs at his table being stolen by a young lady who wouldn't make any demands of him dancing or putting out his cigarette or even particularly talking about anything important.

It just felt... necessary, to sit for a little while with the Ace of Spades. And, at the end of the day, with Ethan.

[intolerantly]

Ivona had gone with the plum. As well as Cynric's gifted bell resting against her breast, tied on a black silken cord. She'd also allowed the Joker liberties with her long hair; it swept up and cascaded in loose ringlets down her back, with small silver bells fetchingly braided in. Her mother had been aghast, but Ivona ignored her, deposition her matron at the bar and immediately heading for the dance floor, cajoling a few of the more stalwart Cards into a dance or three.

No stranger to soirees, the Spade ambassador danced with practiced ease, fully able to enjoy herself completely, all the while maintaining perfect decorum. Yet another mask, when all was said and done. But at least she looked as if she was having a good time. When the band finished and took a small break, she headed for the bar, needing a bit of liquid nourishment to round things off.

[falsepretences]

Jordan has danced himself. Notably with the Ace of Hearts, and a few of his ex-girlfriends that are scattered around every ballroom - or in this case, garden - in the Deck. But having done the social thing, he's settled by the bar with a bourbon, his hat tipped back on his head. He gives Ivona a salute, though, as she approached.

"You took 'with bells on' literally today, I see," he said.

[holdsmyheart]

The King of Hearts had actually planned on arriving on time. And even planned on wearing a tie. But his pager had gone off before he'd even gotten to the door, and naturally, it was another emergency the Weiderman couple. So after an hour of retrieving several tiny objects from their four year old son's nostrils and ears, as well as losing the tie, Theo had again lectured/cautioned them about the dangers of leaving the boy unsupervised with such objects within his reach. He'd warned them that, if such an emergency occurred again, he was going to have to intervene on behalf of the child. He understood the "first time parent" principle, but this was becoming ridiculous.

So it wasn't any surprise--in his view, at least--that he arrived about an hour and a half late, gave his hasty pleasantries and courtesies, then headed straight for the bar and got himself a beer, falling down into a chair nearby with a tired and more than a touch exasperated sigh.

[butneverbreak]

Ties weren't meant to be part of tonight. Frankly, neither were timely arrivals. What didn't sit right with Rita was none of that.

It was the exhaustion. The lack of contentment. The all but collapsing into a chair with a beer.

He knew she'd appear before the end of the night to bother him, presumably. She even sat herself in her own chair rather than perching on the arm of his.

"That happy to be here?"

[dreamsofwords]

It could be said that Alasdair DeWitt has been dour, serious, and stressed lately, and no one could blame him for it. There's likely been less dancing and more Taking Responsibility in between his classes - and a lot of late nights meeting deadlines, but that's between him and his laptop.

Swing, though, has always been his thing. He grew up on those movies, learned tap because of Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor, and so you can find him near the dance floor at all times, pulling unsuspecting people out on it. Can they keep up? Probably not.

But they can try.

[bluntforces]

Can't they try, though. Can't they.

Actually, more importantly, can't they steal an attack of a bear-hug when the band takes five seconds to catch their breath. Because even if they can't, Evan McCartney is going to try.

No question he will also stick around for a dance, but that's not the point. The point is incoming on your left, sir.

[the_songbird]

Of course Elani is there. Elani was there before everyone else...almost. And she's been making the rounds, greeting people, taking a turn on the dance floor. Okay...several turns.

But then, a a dress like this was just asking for dancing, wasn't it?

[heartsofdarkgrey]

Greylan light up when he saw Elani and greeted her as she came over. "Hey. How are you doing tonight?" He asked warmly.

[fiddlerjohnny]

Johnny is, at least, making something of an effort to fit the time period. This may also be the most-dressed-up anybody's ever seen him.

He may also be taking a few opportunities to play with the band as chance arises, but he'll be out on the dance floor too when it looks like there's a lady in need of a partner. He couldn't say that swing dancing is something he knows but he can more or less manage to keep up.

[unsungheart]

Dillon is not making an effort to fit the time period. Nor is he wearing a tie. This probably surprises exactly zero people of his acquaintance; Zoe was lucky that he kept his on for all of the wedding ceremony and most of the reception, really. Like Johnny, he also hopped on stage to pound on the piano for a few numbers - but eventually got kicked off, just like Johnny because, as one of his own former bandmates put it, he's a guest and they're getting paid. So he should go do guest things.

That probably means dancing. But Dillon's just going to avoid that and hold on to a drink as his excuse.

"How do you not fall flat on your face?" He asks. "Or, like, drop the girl." Which would be more disastrous, he imagines, since it probably would screw up any chance in hell of getting laid.

[theacethatmatters]

Julien didn't particularly care for formal balls at the best of times. His opinion didn't particularly improve for this sort of event, either. However, he'd developed a bit of a habit, as Ace, for making a point of attending these inter-Suit events and it seemed that it was a difficult habit to break.

Just as he's still wearing a suit and is, apparently, one of the few men actually wearing a tie.

[morallydefunct]

Victor was, likewise, in a suit and tie, though that would hardly come as a shock to anyone. The real surprise, perhaps, was that the newly wed Mr. Fox was even present at the party. This was likely due to the host, more than anything, but that aside he wasn't spending most of his time on the dance floor.

"Evening, Julien." He said, though, as he came up behind the Nine of Spades. "Are you enjoying your evening?"

[alwaysmessedup]

Justin is there, but more on the periphery. Certainly giving Victor a wide berth.

He's not particularly dressed for the occasion though at least he managed to pull out a suit jacket like piece of clothing. Also, if anyone asks, he's only here for the free food and the bouncy castles.

[lowtohigh]

There's someone more than a head shorter than Victor he should also be giving wide berth. But today is clearly not at all his lucky day.

At least this was a party. At least there were lots of other people around. At least this probably wouldn't be prolonged.

"...you're here."

[escapeandevade]

Swing was...not his thing. Parties, actually, weren't either but he'd agreed to keep his eyes on Eileen for the next so that Kevin could at least enjoy himself without too much worry. Still, it didn't actually erase the blank sort of staring he did at the groups of people that passed him, while he stood just far enough off that Eileen wouldn't think he was hovering.

[cipherspeak]

There was a time when they both would have mostly been standing on the sidelines like this, Elisha reflected as he paused by Addy. Or skipping out on the party altogether if they could get away with it.

But as much as he might grouse about it, Elisha didn't entirely mind that those days were gone.

"There was practically a war over the dress, you know," he said. "I thought I was going to get hit with shrapnel."

[heartsofdarkgrey]

Normally Greylan spent his time in the kitchens during parties. Sometimes, rarely, he'd come out to indulge in gossip and talk usually just listening in to what was said. But tonight though he joined the din wearing a nice pin-striped suit sans tie. He figured if he was going to be the go between for Hearts and Clubs he may as well get more involved with everything instead of just feeding people.

He peered around the area after he got something to drink and took everything in. Greylan smiled warmly, invitingly before joining the small crowd.

[spysinspades]

David grinned at the man - a Heart he'd never given much thought - but tonight was a night of smiles.

"I can appreciate a choice of pinstripes." David gestured to his down black with dark blue as an example.

[maskofhearts]

Hadyn was there in an usually put together way. He might have been trying to compliment Elisha's look while trying to look like, well...himself. At least, he reasoned, he wasn't running about in makeup. He could only imagine the comments that would have earned him.

Taking a break from the dancing, however, he settled in by the snack table and contemplated which of the rather fruity treats to try first. There were just so many.

[lowtohigh]

There were a ridiculous amount of snacks. It was the sort of thing a person could boggle over for quite some time. Hopefully another set of eyes wouldn't disrupt the process overly much.

"It's less paralyzing once you accept that you'll likely try all of them before the end of the night. Makes it feel rather more manageable, you know."

[wouldbetrump]

Clive was there, and he'd attempted to get out of the Castle without the suit but it had been little hopeless. He envied Katya's skill of sneaking out past the help that just wanted to help you look your best.

He passed up the alcohol, though, as he hoped to find Amy at some point, and the last thing he needed was to smell like alcohol around a recovering alcoholic. At least that was his story. But someone was nice enough to provide the king of spades a bottle of water, at least.

[cutslikeaspade]

Ethan had forwent the alcohol too, trading it for club soda and ice. Sans jacket, he strolled up to his King, giving a nod in greeting.

"Sire." The newly minted Ace cocked a sardonic eyebrow. "You look rather fetching tonight." Ethan grinned knowingly. "Declan catch you before you made it out?"

[messire_messer]

It's almost certainly not regular attire for a ball. It skates perilously close to inappropriate for swing. It's definitely a suit, but it's not exactly the expected colours or pattern.

It's definitely suited for spring, though, you've got to give him that. hat with the meticulously painted flowers and all.

And yes, he's randomly sweeping up people for a dance.

[heartsofdarkgrey]

(ooc: Anyone?)

[spysinspades]

Even as a King, David had never pretended not to love to dance. As a Joker, he just felt even more free to indulge.

With everyone. Or anyone. At any point. To any song. At times, without warning his partner that he planned to include them.

Good thing he was quick on his feet.

[maidenthespade]

Fine dancers require fine partners, and Katya, even if saying so herself, can match him. She smiles as she sees him employ his own brand of charm. Two can play game. If David can pounce on his own partners, nothing is stopping her from doing so herself.

She manages to slip up behind him--though no doubt, being David, he has kept eye on every Spade in room and is well aware of her presence--and taps his shoulder.

"This one, I believe, is mine." Her eyes sparkle. Just think of speculation they will cause. And if he refuses her offer, well, she supposes it will liven party with different sort of scene.

[falsepretences]

He'd danced, he drank - he'd had a curiously interesting conversation with Ivona about his future - and then he'd gone back to dancing again. As the night grew later, though, and people began to disperse, and Jordan found himself on the edge of the dancefloor looking for a likely partner.

One or two more dances, he thought, before he headed home to Spades himself.

[heartvestment]

"Hey, you," Edie says, nudging him in the ribs when she finally finds him. "I'm nearly 99% certain you owe me a dance. Something like that."

[threecardmonty]

The Spring Fling was supposed to be a casual do, but Monty had dressed up some for his gal once a certain shopkeeper had let slip Blythe had bought a pretty new dress. He felt a fellow ought to try to shine for his date every bit as much as she did for him. He's here, looking sharp in wingtips and fedora. He even wore a tie, though it ain't likely that'll last through the evening. He's already unbuttoned the top button of his shirt so's he can breathe a might better.

For now, he's sipping his rye and enjoying the sight of the Little Bit flitting around the dance floor.

[fiddlerjohnny]

"Well, look who got himself all fancied up," Johnny says, with a grin. Of course, he himself is looking a bit more put together than is his usual but...details. The tie, though, has been loosened and probably will slip off at some point whenever his top button gets undone too. The hat was lost sometime around when he was taking Rita for a turn around the dance floor.

[gardenplots]

Maggie had worn these fashions first time round and had no desire to repeat history. She found her little black dress more than suitable for the occasion. Indeed, she looked a picture in black and white, very Spadey one might say.

...though probably not to her face, at least not most of them. For now she sips on her sidecar and, tapping her foot in time to the music, chats amiably with other party goers

[gotyourheart]

Rowan had, honestly, been having the time of her life. A dance was probably just what she needed for her to finally let go of some of the stress she'd been feeling since taking the throne, and she'd really gone all out for it. There were probably going to be a billion different rumors about the Queen of Hearts' love life after tonight. She couldn't really bring herself to care.

But she does have to take a break after a while, and so she'll come to rest next to the older Heart, a bright grin on her face as she starts downing a drink of her own.

"You're looking lovely tonight, Maggie."