homecoming dance!

[wrnpcs]

[Balamb Garden has taken off around the Balamb coastline! The seaside and clear night sky can be seen through the windows and from the balconies. The halls are mostly deserted besides the stray student walking about, and even the usual faculty members are missing from their posts around the school. There's a certain festive energy through the air, the source coming from the happily decorated ballroom located on the second floor.

[At exactly 2100, as soon as the dinner rush ends, the Garden chime sounds and the intercom clicks on. The Headmaster speaks to the Garden.]

The Homecoming Dance is now beginning. Your attendance is requested at [2F] Ballroom.

I repeat, the Homecoming Dance is now beginning. Your attendance is requested at [2F] Ballroom. The ball will run until 2400. Students leaving the ball after curfew are to return to their dorms immediately.

The ball and its festivities tonight are being sponsored very generously by the Garden Festival Committee.

[After the announcement, the intercom falls silent. The faint sound of music can be heard from the second floor of the building.

[Within the ballroom, there is a stationary stand for punch and food, as well as roaming caterers offering drinks (grape juice) and canapes.]

Voting is now closed. There is a thread here for announcing and crowning the winners; on-lookers are free to react in the thread.

Attendance is entirely optional, so with most of the faculty at the dance, characters are free to roam the rest of the school! However, as Balamb Garden is flying around the Balamb coastline, they will not be able to leave (unless you can fly or really like heights and don't mind injuries...), and any characters left behind will be stranded for a few hours.

Comments

[corruptedsouls]

Okay! I won't tell anyone, promise.

[Beam!]

...Oh, but you wouldn't like some of the Pokemon I know...

[espio]

There's pokémon ghosts, too?

[corruptedsouls]

Yeah, all kinds. Some trainers focus in them.

[espio]

[Don't mind Espio. He's just going to look really creeped out. Why would anyone want to specialise in dealing with ghosts?]

Weird.

[corruptedsouls]

I don't see why. They're Pokemon like every other Pokemon. They eat and drink too.

[espio]

Maybe Pokémon ghosts are different, but let's just say I've had bad experiences with ghosts.

[Namely, being attacked and totally defenceless against Sandopolis ghosts, which froze up his chest and was probably the most painful and distressing experience of his life. He's of the opinion that they could have very easily killed him.]

[corruptedsouls]

They're still mischevious and everything, but they don't really hurt people usually.

[Note the "usually" there.]

[espio]

Just usually...?

Back home, people always say that ghosts either aren't real, or that they can't hurt you. My experience says otherwise. And the worst part of it is that, unless you're somehow special, you can't even really defend yourself - if a ghost's got it in for you, you're done for. I was kind of lucky that the ones I faced couldn't handle light.

That's why I don't like them.

[corruptedsouls]

Well, any Pokemon can be mean and hate humans. If they do, they can attack. That's just kind of how my world is. But ghost Pokemon are still just Pokemon. You can fight them as long as you don't use Normal attacks or things.

Pikachu could fight them really easily.

[espio]

I guess Pokémon ghosts are different... but a Pokémon, magic or a summon could help buy time, at least.

[He's honestly, genuinely scared of them...

Awkward sort-of-smile.]

Sorry. I shouldn't be wasting my break talking about ghosts. Besides, I'll probably bump into someone if I get too distracted!

[corruptedsouls]

[He laughs a little, shifting his grip on Espio some. This is warm and comfortable and he's enjoying it immensely.]

Am I doing okay?

[espio]

Well, no broken toes so far! We just have to see how you do when they up the tempo.

[Speaking of which, the music has changed to something rather more upbeat, so Espio tries to adjust accordingly. He was rather content with the slower one, though... oh well.]

[corruptedsouls]

[It's just lucky that Tobias is a fast learner. A couple of mis-steps on toes is all it takes for him to get the pattern, even if he's not fooling anyone or looking skilled. At least he can dance, right?]

Like this?

[espio]

Like that.

[He's having to concentrate a bit more, now, though. Makes conversation hard.]

We can go back after this one, if you want.

[corruptedsouls]

I like this. It's really fun and it's nice being really close to you.

[Yep, right out with it! And to be a bit more surprising, Tobias leans up a little, giving Espio a quick kiss.]

[espio]

[WELP. Espio doesn't really have anything to say to that! His expression kind of says it, though - a pleased smile, cheeks tinged red... okay, we'll keep this up for the time being.

...and he totally just picked Toby up and twirled him a little.

[corruptedsouls]

[Uwah! Tobias laughs as he's twirled, though he's a bit heavier now. Eating well for a while certainly makes you a lot more healthy and filled out, no?]

Espio! [He's all gleeful giggles, holding on tight.]

[espio]

[Espio didn't even really notice the weight, though Toby does look healthier. Even if he is still sporting that bruise.]

What?

[Back on the ground, now. Heh.]

I guess this isn't so bad. I guess next time I could be convinced to join in properly, instead of just on a break.

Don't know how people can do it for hours, though.

[corruptedsouls]

Maybe they really like it. Or maybe they just really like being with someone they love?

[He smiles brightly again, burying his face playfully in Espio's chest for a moment.]

If it was you, I could dance like this for hours.

[espio]

[Cuuute. But... Espio only wishes he could say the same.]

I'd get bored with the scenery - I'd have to take you somewhere else! Maybe with a bit more privacy.

[Okay, so admittedly nobody's really paying them attention, but Espio feels just a little crowded with so many people around.]

[corruptedsouls]

I don't mind going! I'm sure Dad will understand and I can come back to support him when you go back to flying, right?

[No, he still hasn't figured out that was a whole ploy on your part. Innocent trust and all.]

[espio]

We can head to the balcony. There's still some people around there, but it's a clear night...

And yeah, you can come back and cheer on Marco! But you do know I mostly only said that to make sure you were here for this, right? [He wanted to surprise him!]

[corruptedsouls]

No, I didn't!

[So surprised! But in a good way, and he smiles.]

I'm glad you got to come dance, though! Everything's fun with you.

[espio]

...fun?

[Can't help but look a little awkward at that. Considering, you know, he's kind of been yelling at Toby since the day they met. The hand that was on Toby's waist moves to poke him lightly in the forehead. Vague amusement.]

What about the yelling?

[corruptedsouls]

...I remember that you don't really mean it, even if it... still hurts.

[He's a bit more solemn now.]

But... I'll try to get better! I promise!