Party Time

[loveandduty]

Who: Everyone who wants to attend.
What: It's a party for all, but the pairing up part is for singles only.
When: Day 19 of Fiddlesticks
Where: Gym Carriage
Warnings: Who knows atm just Minako being Minako will add more as things happen.

[Minako figured she did the best she could for the party. Though she also wondered if perhaps she might not have that many people come. Sure she wanted to put singles together, but at the same time, she simply wanted people to have fun.

In the dressing carriage, people will find costumes and masks that were more gothic in nature. There was food and hopefully some forms of sweet treats for those looking for it as well as a variety of drink, mostly non-alcoholic.]

OOC: Examples of the type of outfits and such can be found here: costumes and
masks]

Comments

[bloomingdespite]

[Perhaps it's the elegant purple suit with black and gold highlights that catches Kaiba's eye. Maybe it's the ostentatious star mask. Or maybe it's the fact that the... Man? Woman? Person? Person seems like the safest bet, looks absolutely nothing like anybody he has seen on the train. The spiked, yet fluffy-looking black hair and what little he can see of their sharp features are completely unfamiliar.

(Maybe it's because they are excessively handsome. He can practically see the bishie sparkle around them.)

Whatever the case, the "stranger" notices Seto's gaze, and he gets the distinct impression that they're raising a single amused eyebrow behind that mask of theirs. Strolling up to him, they extend a hand in say, in a voice eerily similar in inflection and tenor to his old rival's but with far too much playfulness,] Care for a dance?

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba's definitely drawn in. He can discern little about them, other than their affection for a dramatic, theatrical look. One he shares, though not to the same degree. He knows little about who this might be other than ruling out a few suspects, most notably Yugi---but feels compelled to answer. ]

...Yes.

[ He doesn't bother to disguise his voice at all. If he tried he'd be terrible at it. Kaiba steps in politely, assuming he's going to lead---and while he has some ballroom training and has learned a little about casual dance on the train, he's wrong. ]

Big fan of a mystery?

[bloomingdespite]

[They chuckle airily, immediately taking the lead with devastating grace and poise. Sorry, Kaiba, but this is their dance floor. He's just sharing their spotlight for a song or two.] I admit that I have a flair for the dramatic, but it's more that I so rarely get the chance to go out and dress up nice that I figured I might as well pull out all the stops.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba makes a strange, flustered noise, but carries on. He follows mostly-competently, as if under some kind of spell. ]

The uniforms are terrible. I'll agree to that.

[ His head is spinning, mostly in a good way. It's...fun???...to let go a little. ]

Where'd you learn to dance so well?

[bloomingdespite]

I've been a dancer all my life, really. [Especially if you look at it from their perspective specifically.]

But the answer is practice. Lots, and lots, and lots of practice. When mastering a talent, most people think that muscle memory is the end goal. But really, it's beyond that. Muscle memory can only take you so far; training for specific scenarios and rhythms and songs won't help you.

[From anybody else, this explanation would sound pretentious and condescending. But somehow, they sound earnest and completely honest, believing every word that they say.]

You have to make it so that when you dance, it goes beyond muscle memory. That it becomes more natural for you than breathing.

Here. Let me show you.

[And boy howdy, they do.]

[blue_ice]

[ This is the most intense dance demonstration he'll ever go through. He stubbornly tries his best to keep up, but he's thinking too hard. And only after some stumbling does he truly begin to let go, feeling strangely comfortable with this strange person guiding him.

He's still flustered, forcefully reminding himself that he's taken. He wishes he could dance with Yugi like this...and it's odd, it's almost like he knew this person once upon a dream. Kaiba's breath is short, and not just from the workout.]

...ah. That was...really something. You're truly passionate for the art.

[bloomingdespite]

[To their credit, whenever Kaiba stumbles, they are immediately there to support him, whispering gentle advice in his ear and very carefully showing him the steps. Dancing with a partner isn't fun if you aren't actually dancing with your partner after all.]

I have to be. Like I said, it's more natural than breathing for me at this point. It's part of life for me; and if you're stuck in the world of flesh and bone... you should try to enjoy it the best you can.

[blue_ice]

You're right...

[ He is grateful that they're guiding him without drawing more outside attention, and when he seems to finally get a handle on it and trust his partner, his awkward expression melts into a smile. ]

I've had every reason to resent this world myself...but my eyes have opened recently. Not everything is so bad. And I...can see, a little, why you enjoy this so much.

[bloomingdespite]

[Even though Kaiba can't see their eyes, he gets the distinct impression that they're looking into his knowing entirely too much... and offering even more compassion despite that.]

The universe is a terrible place sometimes, [they say quietly, the dance slowing down.] Most of the time, even. But that just makes the moments of joy you can find—like this one—all the more precious.

I'm glad this place has helped you find peace.

[blue_ice]

[ It's coming to an end. Kaiba feels strange...like he's floating, yet grounded by this person. They speak so familiarly, yet he doesn't know that voice, or anyone who fits that build...

...or does he? ]

Mm. It's not so terrible to live.

[ And as it ends, he bows, looking at the stranger one more time. ]

Do I know you?

[bloomingdespite]

[When the dance comes to a close, they step back, offering Kaiba a deep, gracious bow. Then he asks his question, and that smile of theirs takes on a melancholy, bittersweet quality.]

No.

You don't.

[blue_ice]

Oh...

[ But he has the feeling creeping up that they know him...maybe he's just being self-important as usual. He nods. ]

Well...I'd like to, someday.

[bloomingdespite]

[They shake their head, even more of that melancholy seeping into their expression.]

Trust me: if you did, you'd regret what you'd find.

I'd rather stay a perfect stranger to you than an unmasked fraud. That way, I can stay your friend in this memory, even if I can't be truly close to you anywhere else.

[blue_ice]

Maybe I'm not who you think I am anymore.

[ Well...maybe he is. He sighs. ]

Will I see you again?

[bloomingdespite]

When another opportunity comes to dance where the world can't watch me...

Yes. I'll be there.

[They bow as a partygoer passes in front of them.]

It was a pleasure meeting you properly, Kaiba Seto.

[And then they're gone.]