I'll be there for you

[mansionstaff]

Who: EV ERY ONE
What: Graduation. Prom.
When: The evening of May 31st.
Where: The Stadium.
Warnings: WHO KNOWS

One might find the stadium a little hot and humid for those used to a spring graduation ceremony. This fine evening the Academy is experiencing its first hints of summer, a warm breeze providing relief to those who would sit on the stadium floor, which had been rearranged into a platform overlooking neat rows of chairs meant to seat the gathered crowd of faculty and students. Towards the other end of the complex was the arrangement for the prom that was to follow. Food and drink, chairs and tables, each with a floral centerpiece, and, of course, a dance floor.



Before everyone could get their party on, however, there was the main event of the evening. From his place at the podium, Master Hand watched students and staff alike find their way into the stadium. With the recent robot shenanigans, there seemed to be tensions in need of dispelling. If the Headmaster knew one thing, however, it was that some silly city antics were not going to ruin this esteemed event. Not tonight. Not if he could help it.

-------

HEY DUDES! Here's how stuff is going to work. We kick off the log with GRADUATION. This part of the log will be divided into separate threads. I'll post them all at once, so feel free to hop around, mingle, post whenever, wherever.

HOWEVER, once the PROM starts, it will be up to you guys to post your own threads. Please check out last year's log if you'd like an idea of how this works. Everything after the thread titled "DISMISSAL" (I will post that in a bit, so don't post prom threads until I have that up!) will be considered prom, though don't let that stop you from continuing to post in the graduation section.

Please label all your threads appropriately! (Examples: "SHENANIGANS AT THE FOOD TABLE", "DANCE-OFF", "THE PUNCH IS SPIKED", "BOTHER X" In general, a location + what is going on in the thread is the way to go. Obviously, more than one thread can take place at the same location. 

Linking back and forth when and if you thread hop is very much appreciated. If things start to look a bit laggy, we'll bump to the next page. Most importantly, HAVE FUN, and let a mod know about any problems or concerns you might have!

Comments

[mohawk_tomahawk]

In any other circumstance, Connor would be more than alert. Norris would attest to that.

But one, this was a party. Two, the moment he heard gentle footsteps and the small hands being placed over his eyes, it was none other than something of a joke. In a lighthearted manner. The voice settled that for him, and whatever mood he was in finally turned toward to being as lighthearted as this occasion.

It was the lady he came with and looked indeed so much more regal in that dress than he did trying hard to dress nice.

"Eirika."

[heartofarapier]

She removed her hands and unable to hide her smile, she moved, so he might better see her. Then she stood as straight and as tall as she could, as if she was trying to portray her people to the best of her ability. Although she was secretly overjoyed that it was Connor whose arm she had been permitted to hold.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" she asked him curiously. Moving to his side, she looked about with interest and gave a smaller smile, not at all treasonous to how she genuinely felt regarding the situation.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Was he?


That was. He wasn't.


Huh.

"I...suppose I am," Connor said with hesitation. "This is quite an unusual party. But I am making due. The students and teachers are all having a good time. It is like they have briefly forgotten the troubles they faced."

He says that like the wallflower he was, but there was an obvious lighthearted-ness in his voice. Like nothing he said was a bad thing.

"You are doing well also, yes?"

[heartofarapier]

"It's important that people can sometimes have a semblance of peace," Eirika replied quietly. "People can only handle suffering for so long."

As she moved and looked aside from him, she examined the stadium and settled a hand against his forearm. "They shouldn't be reprimanded for their smiles." Then she looked over to Connor and her expression softened, "Just as you shouldn't either. I... understand you are not a man of many smiles, Connor, but I think you could handle having one or two."

Then she offered to him her right hand and a smile of her own, "Would you care to dance with me?"

[mohawk_tomahawk]

"It is the spirit boost they needed, I do understand that," Connor agreed. But then Connor made a near stupefied face.

"I...am not a fine dancer. Do you really wish to?"

Eirika you could just. Tug his arm and make him.

[heartofarapier]

She gave him an amused expression, "You are my escort, are you not? I wish for you to have a good time with me."

So instead, she took his hand and gave him an encouraging tug behind her, "You trust me, yes? Then trust that if I wish your companionship, I truly wish for it. If I ask you to dance with me, it's because I earnestly want you to dance with me. I have no shame in saying what I want of you."

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Connor didn't say anything. He...didn't need to, did he? It was like how his actions spoke louder. As always. We had done this jazz before. He allowed himself to be led.

He nodded at her. His face showing he had accepted this.

At least, a slow song was playing. Nothing still of his time, but as long as it wasn't that obnoxious guy he heard people call "Justin Beaver" playing, Connor was fine.

He walked with wherever she led him.

[heartofarapier]

She led him to a quieter and less populated part of the stadium. Mostly in favour of not causing him any embarrassment for she was certainly not a cruel woman by any means. The other part of it was just as much for her as it was for him. Some eyes could be the prying sort and she knew she would catch attention no matter what kind of precautions she took. It was best to make him suffer as few questions as possible.

... As few questions as were inevitable, more or less. Because undoubtedly people like his father would be about.

When she found the perfect place, or what she felt was, she eyed him expectantly. "Can you ballroom?" Eirika asked him curiously.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

As if on reflex, Connor made a small gulp. Merely he tried to swallow away his nerves. Some people he assured might be looking. He wasn't sure exactly who he was suspecting to be watching his moves. Innes, definitely. Haytham...yeah maybe definitely too. Or Desmond.

Eirika, in her beautiful gown. Connor, who was pulling off...whatever he was. Eirika alone he was sure brought some attention at the very least.

As for dancing well...Connor looked at her as they reached their spot. His eyes looking left and right of them for a brief moment before he spoke softly.

"I have not. No," Connor answered honestly. So silly.

[heartofarapier]

Her expression softened when she heard him. "All right. I'll teach you. I'm going to let you lead, however." Because to be fair, Eirika didn't have the confidence to actually do so.

She demonstrated with her hands first, how a proper man held a proper lady, and tilted her head to him. "Lead with your dominant hand. The other at my waist, or the small of my back. Whichever you prefer."

As she shifted, she tapped her feet against the ground indicatively, "In time with music. I'm not evaluating you, so you shouldn't feel too nervous."

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Right.


Okay.

"I just do not want to harm your feet in the process," Connor replied as he repeated the motions. Trying to be very gentle in his touch especially, because he had no idea what he was doing. Ballroom dancing, such a thing it was in his mind. For rich people he assumed. A luxury to be a part of such parties. Connor held one arm around her waist, the other held her hand. He tried to move...he looked.




SO NOT. LIKE HIM. He looked as silly as you might think.

[heartofarapier]

He might have been a bit embarrassed by the whole thing, but she was rather enamoured. Well, captivated was a better word for it. Entertained. Delighted. As she typically was in his company.

"Don't worry so much," she reassured him gently. "If you fret often, you're more likely to make errors. Just try to calm down and... enjoy yourself."

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, "At least make the attempt to for me, Connor." For her. As if she really made any kind of difference.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Well.

Because it.





Did.


It did make a difference. Connor bit his lip mentally, took a deep breath. He was going to give it his all. Connor began to go with the flow. Not doing terrible, but obviously acting like it was his first. Purposely trying to dodge when he thought he would step on her feet.

The song went on. Connor was quiet for a while. Just dancing with you.

[heartofarapier]

If he was trying not to amuse her, it wasn't working. She eyed him for many moments, all of them - really, and was careful to give him her undivided attention. Not that she had anything else she wanted to even look at.

He's trying to concentrate.

So she moved properly to compliment him, allowed him to lead, and wore a small smile for the entirety. At least until the song would come to a close and he'd stop proverbially dying of embarrassment.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

When the song ended and some crappy pop song started play, Connor stopped.

He looked at Eirika then, somewhat eager to hear of her opinion of what had just happened.

[heartofarapier]

Oh, man. That crappy pop music. Everyone hated that.

When he did manage to stop since the music was no longer fitting the action, she simply watched him for a few moments longer, as if to gauge his reaction. Had he been too awkward? She couldn't have blamed him. He certainly could have used the practise and she doubted it was going to be something he'd enjoy.

"I think you show potential," she commented as she drew up her hands to straighten out the collar to his tuxedo suit. "If you'd like to do so again, let me know. I can help." Then she tipped her head and eyed his feet, "Actually, you're very light on your feet. That's important. Dancing with me isn't too different from fighting with a sword, even a smaller one. You've got more of a chance to learn it than someone who doesn't already have that lighter movement to their advantage."

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Connor cleared his throat as Eirika judged him and adjusted his collar. Letting her. Feeling both embarrassed and yet humble.

His warrior, Assassin feet. At least he had good feet.

He could think of dancing as when he would be having a sword fight? Connor looked at the sky as she said that, as if thinking deeply about all of that.

Including her offer.

"Then I might have to take you up on that offer," Connor said as he put his hands into his pockets and shifted himself.

Oh...wait, he forgot.

Hrm, maybe someplace better where he could think. This music was so distracting, ugh.

"Actually, I was about to leave to the outside for a moment. I was wondering if you did not mind...accompanying me for a moment."

[heartofarapier]

She blinked at his invitation and felt her eyebrows knit together before she actually realised that they had. Dusting him off once more, noting the way he was slightly embarrassed, and yet finding him all the more endearing, she simply gave him a rather light nod.

"No. I don't mind in the least," she replied with a bit of a bashful smile.

What could you possibly have to want with me to call me aside like this, Connor? Do you know what that will look like to outside eyes?

But the thrilling - and unlikely - possibility was that he didn't care.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

That's right.

He did not care.

Well, he did. But. Not too much. He wanted to do this. He felt it was something he needed to do. He had his mind on it. He wanted to do it here to while they were meeting up.

But he didn't want her nervous. It wasn't anything bad.

(Spoilers: He had no idea what he was doing or what he was feeling, let's be honest.)

"Good, I wanted to give you something while just stepping away from this for a moment."

[heartofarapier]

Nervous? Eirika nervous? What a silly thing to think. No, really. She was a little nervous. Just a tiny bit. Slightly. More so when he said he had something he wanted to give her. Because he didn't need to give her anything. She'd done nothing worth being given a gift. Not in her opinion anyway, and she was fairly certain her expression spelled that out to him rather clearly.

At least would have if Connor were better at reading expressions.

"...Give... me something?" she asked him through a painfully apparent flushing of the cheeks. Then she softened her tone and leaned in closer to him, "...Connor, that's unnecessary..."

[mohawk_tomahawk]

He made the smallest smirk as he let out a breath through his nose. As if amused.

"Somehow I thought you would say that."

Frown.

"...I knew I did not have to. But I wanted to. I wanted to show at least a little appreciation."

Pause.

"...Please, accept it."

Oh wow.

[heartofarapier]

Why was it that her chest grew so tight when she heard him? He knew her so well?

"Somehow I thought you would say that."

And she couldn't stop blushing when she heard him. Unable to look to him, however, she tried to hide a little beneath her hair. "...Not... here," she commented gently.

If someone like Innes should see... I couldn't stand to let you endure that.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

He could guess why she would say that...but we're leaving anyway right?

Connor would lead her outside, offering his arm for her to take.







Being a gentleman. Was he doing it right?

[heartofarapier]

Okay. That was a little embarrassing. Charming, Connor. But embarrassing.

She carefully curled her arm about his and drew in a deep breath as if to straighten her posture once more. And she allowed him to lead, wondering precisely what it was that he had for her.

And she still couldn't figure out why. But all the same, she'd respect his wishes.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

What do you want from me?

You looked like you were wearing a huge ass poofy dress, okay???

It was an awkward walk outside. Connor would look at her features and feel him getting a little weird feeling.

Was he doing something wrong again? What was Connor doing with women who were friends anyway? He was obviously bad at this. Dobby and Myriam were just...different. He could hunt and talk in pubs with them. Eirika was too different. This all felt different. Everything. WHY? Why was it different? It shouldn't be, should it?

Connor was lacking words to say again. But once they were outside, he thought he might as well do it. Just wing it. DO IT. He put his hands in his pocket again.