[ic]

[dormancy]

[In the interest of time and mystery, Vincent and Naoto have met at the overgrown flowers an hour after sunset as promised in a not at all suspicious manner. Luckily, or not, Vincent has found a few becoming flowers for his lady of the evening, and without further ado, they are off to a wonderful evening soiree . . .

The entrance hall is tasteful and elegant with carved wood panels, marble-topped tables, vases with white orchids spilling over. There are four doors in each direction. The door to the right is an open double door with music spilling softly out from it.]

Comments

[dormancy]

[has been done up with black earrings, gloves, coat-tails, and so on; easily taking a top hat off and putting it on top of a table]

Well then, it looks like we aren't late.

[genderbinary]

[despite the fact that she met Vincent in her Wonderland #1 uniform, Naoto ends up wearing this number with royal blue accents, sans hat, with earrings to match and a pair of heels that she immediately wobbles in]

What on earth--?!

[dormancy]

[catching her carefully by her elbow]

Haha, I did warn you. Are you alright . . . ?

[genderbinary]

[sputtering a bit]

I-I am fine, I simply--this dress is--and these shoes are--

[dormancy]

Are simply lovely on you?

[lightly brushing a hair back into place]

Mm, lean on me when you need to. You should be able to do something about them in time.

[genderbinary]

[as red as a tomato and looking completely lost for a few moments]

... Ridiculous. Give me your hand, I will manage so long as you don't walk too fast.

[dormancy]

[offering his arm, hand up, glancing to the doors as she finds her balance (i am polite like that)]

I wouldn't dreaming of leaving your side, Naoto.

[genderbinary]

[privately wondering where the hell her gun is]

[for safe-keeping, obvs]

[takes it and doesn't lean on him too much, just takes a moment to right herself]

Lead the way.

[dormancy]

Mmm, of course . . .

[He slowly makes his way to the double doors. The ballroom continues the same opulent trend with a crystal chandelier, candles, and so on. It isn't overly large, but it is long enough to serve for a modest a dance floor. There are two other couples in the ballroom already, but they aren't moving. They are poised in the midst of a dance and dressed for the occasion, though. It seems they are nothing more than life-sized dolls, mannequins, how disappointing . . . ? In the corner, there is a record player that plays the waltz of the night.]

[genderbinary]

[watches that, curious but somewhat discreet as she's mostly preoccupied with not falling flat on her face]

Who are these people...?

[dormancy]

[leading her to an open spot on the dance floor]

Let's see . . . Dear Grace is your chaperone for the evening, and she is the lady of the house. So, that would be Pleasant wrapped up in his adoring wife's arms.

[carefully nodding to the pair]

[genderbinary]

And the others?

[dormancy]

Mm, the reason for our gathering tonight. Owen is taken with Chastity, and is doing his very best to woo the object of his heart's affection.

Then, of course, there is us, but I don't need to explain that, do I?

[genderbinary]

You could explain your role in all of this.

[dormancy]

Haha, I am your appreciative date for the evening.

[pulling a card from his coat pocket, it reads: A questionable though pleasing member of society, Naoto’s date for the evening.]

[genderbinary]

"Questionable," is it. Very well, are these all the actors in your play?

[dormancy]

[slight shrug as he starts to lead her into a slow dance]

This is the entire cast. So, now for the show . . .

[genderbinary]

[stumbles a bit at first to figure out what she's doing, cautiously placing her hand on his shoulder and focusing on following]

[probably giving off very strong vibes of h e l p]

[dormancy]

[is very good at guiding her, keeping the steps simple]

There, you're finding your feet.

[genderbinary]

[carefully keeping up with him but still very awkward]

Er... thank you.

[dormancy]

You're most welcome.

[Another refrain starts, as it seems like everyone—well, those who are able-bodied—is settling into the number, there is a sudden scream, high-pitched and short like it one would expect on a stage. Very quickly, Grace settles down into a chair with a glass set on the table beside her. The rest of the puppets settle for hovering nearby . . . Oh, no . . . ]

[genderbinary]

[turns quickly towards that wobble]

--what happened?

[dormancy]

[catching her immediately, guiding her to the confusion]

Ah, it seems as if Grace has fainted away . . .

[genderbinary]

[slowly heading towards the table]

Is she alright?

[can I check her pulse...]

[dormancy]

[It is unfortunately the wrist of a doll, but there is another card at that place: Her pulse is faint but present.]

Perhaps. She may need time to collect herself, though.