New Year's Eve Countdown Party

[yesterdays_hero]

WHO: Captain Hammer and his invited guests (i.e. no villains allowed unless you want to get Hammered)
WHAT: Hammer's rented a glitzy clubhouse for the New Year's Eve party, as a means of cementing the bonds between Genessia's true heroes, sidekicks, and fans. Time to show off those party dresses! There's food, music, and fireworks once the clock strikes twelve.
WHEN: December 31st, 2013 - 8pm and past midnight into January 1st, 2014 (forward-dated)
WHERE: Regency Apartments Clubhouse - Genessia City
NOTES: Mingle freely! If you want a specific type of thread, such as 'snack table' or 'dancing', feel free to start one up! I don't want to limit people.


If one thing could be said about Captain Hammer, it was that he cleaned up nicely. If two things could be said, it's that he can throw one hell of a party. As a city guardian, he can afford it, and a guardian's job encompasses more than just punching the bad guys in the ego.

Heaps of food, ranging from light vegetable hors d'ouerves to thin slices of expensive cheese and meats to elegantly crafted cream puffs, are arranged on several tables throughout the room. There's more than one punch bowl, though each is clearly labeled as to which ones are for the adults, and which ones are okay for the kiddies.

The middle of the floor is mostly cleared, save for those who have taken the initiative to bust a groove and start dancing to the smooth tunes laid out by the hired DJ.

Captain Hammer expected a decent turnout, and he was sure there would be a fair share of shenanigans if his sidekicks teammates were any indication. He'd posted a number of lookouts around the building to alert him if there were any signs of trouble. So if Hammer was frequently seen excusing himself and returning while brushing off the dirt from his tuxedo, pay him no mind. He was just making sure the party ran smoothly and uninterrupted.

Comments

[flamescout]

Thanks! I had a tough time picking it out.

[Most evening gowns tend to be a little on the skimpy side for her tastes, and naturally she wanted something in red. She's not as tongue-tied as he is, but when he starts to blush, it turns out to be contagious as her own face reddens slightly as well.]

Why wouldn't it qualify? Seems fine to me.

[Raye helpfully straightens his tie and smoothes down his lapels.]

[short_n_sweet]

[See, Jaune doesn't even know what "lapels" means.]

Well that's good. I'm glad you like it. Or, uh, that it looks good, I mean. Yeah, it's okay, I guess. [He rubs his arm for a moment, his eyes wandering around the party area... just not focusing on her. He stared too much at Raye and odds are she's going to notice after a while.]

So... It's a new year, eh? A lot of good things happened this year.

... [Well, setting aside he's in some place he doesn't know, missing half of his team, and now hangs out with some crusty wizard who he's actually keeping an eye out for.]

Yup. A lot of good things.

[flamescout]

Yeah...I missed out on most of it. Before you guys showed up, almost everyone was put to sleep for nearly a year.

[She feels robbed somehow, especially since Harry wound up fighting all those creatures by himself. Raye notices the dodgy looks, so she stands beside him. There, now he can look at the room all he wants, coward.]

But I'm glad you're all here.

[Raye smiles.]

Ruby's sweet. And I had fun the other night.

[short_n_sweet]

[Oop. Raye's gone and moved to the side. Jaune's no mentalist, but that body language speaks volumes as to the insurmountable fact that HE IS DOING SOMETHING WRONG. Damage control time, and Jaune forces himself to look at her again. In the eyes. Mostly.]

Yeah, Ruby's pretty great. First friend I made- Er, wait I might have told you that. [Lame, Jaune. Totally lame.]

... But I'm glad you had fun and that you liked your gift. I kept saying we'd go out, and I got kinda tired of it getting put off. Sounds like we're making up for lost time though, huh? If you were asleep a whole year then you really oughta spend lots of time with people to catch up.

Unless you don't like hanging out with lots of people. [The boy rubs his chin.] ... You don't seem like the type though.

[flamescout]

Uh, well, I've had my reclusive moments!

[Raye considers just flat out lying and saying up, never had any problems socializing whatsoever! But even for her that might wind up being too obvious. Growing up, she was VERY lonely, and she molded that loneliness into something cool and aloof that kept people at arm's length. Or football field's length.]

Making up for lost time sounds kinda nice, though.

[She smiles, but only for a moment.]

Speaking of that date, did you mention any of it to Harry?

[They work together, after all, so she kind of expects that he would have. But if not, well...Wizard Dad is going to find out tonight that she might be more than just friends with his guardian trainee.]

[short_n_sweet]

Well, I guess everyone has...

[Elbow nudge]

You can hang out with just me if it's easier. :)

[Jaune quirks a brow to Raye's question as if it was an absolutely ridiculous question.] You kidding? Harry? That guy's like everyone's super protective Dad or something. [Jaune totally picked up on that after a while. He should have noticed as soon as Harry got all question-y about him and Ruby, but... Jaune's a natural blonde, you know!]

The guy's cool and all, but if I told him anything? Suddenly it'd be all, "Jaune don't stay out with her too late" and "boy, straighten your collar." I mean, Harry's cool. He's like some intense guy that can blow stuff up with magic words. But I dunno if I want him trying to talk me through lady advice.

[flamescout]

[Raye chuckles and bumps him right back with her shoulder.]

I can keep you company for a little while, anyway.

[He's got more friends than just her, she knows. He's got a point about Harry, though, and she makes a face recalling his text messages that were almost exactly made out to that effect. How late is late anyway? It's not like she'd be tempted to do anything improper.]

He does tend to get overprotective. It's not a bad thing, but yeah...goes a little too far sometimes.

[She puffs out a sigh. Great, that means she'll have to be the one to drop the bomb. Better if it comes from her anyhow, since she's stubborn and loud, and better to do it sooner rather than later. Harry seems like the type who would freak out if she told him she had a boyfriend, and they're not quite at that stage yet.]

[short_n_sweet]

[Jaune thinks on it for a while before simply rolling his eyes and shrugging.] Weeeeellll... Maybe he'd just have to deal with it. [He can't help but grin a little bit.]

Well, if we're going to hang out for a little while, what do you wanna do? Grab some food? Or... Or maybe dance?

[flamescout]

[He just said the magic word. Raye does plan to visit the snack table at some point, but there's little in the world that can sweep a girl off her feet more swiftly and surely than the promise of dancing with a boy she likes.]

Do you know how?

[Little does she know. Still, she pushes herself off of the wall, opening up her hand to him.]

[short_n_sweet]

Do I know-- Ppf! Do I know how, she asks. Of course I know how! [Slow dances were eeeeeasy, after all. But, little did she know, and Jaune would never admit, that he was a pretty good dancer over-all. It depends on the song anyway.] Do you?

[He takes her hand, and with all too happy a smile he walks her out to the dance floor. Sure, there are a lot of people around, a lot of them probably watching him and Raye, but... it's shockingly easy to ignore them when he's got Raye nearby.]

[flamescout]

[The warmth of his hand on hers makes her wish she hadn't gone with the gloves. Too late now to mourn her fashion decisions; maybe they'll get another chance in the future.]

A little!

[Kind of. She took formal lessons! ...And flunked the royal class. ...Better if he doesn't know about that little fiasco.]

I'll just follow your lead.

[If he's lucky.]

[short_n_sweet]

Right! Well, as I said, it really depends on the music... [Let's see what this DJ has in store for him...]

[Seems it hasn't hit a slow dance yet, which made for... less romantic couples dancing. But hey, maybe it could be a bit fun to see how Raye could move. Despite being so naturally clumsy, Jaune takes Raye's hand and looks towards their feet. Of course hers were impossible to see with such a gown on.]

Okay, well, just move your feet like this.

[Step step. Jaune's got some rhythm and he's going slow for her benefit. He's got his free arm moving with the music as well. Bringing his one foot over the other, he crosses his legs only to turn on his heels and spin himself, lifting her hand so he could get a full 180 in. Heh! He looks to Raye with a bit of a grin.] Are you wearing heels? That might make it a liiiittle tougher to dance to the upbeat stuff.

[flamescout]

I think I'll be okay.

[She fights otherworldly creatures in high heels on a regular basis. Dancing is a piece of cake! Especially if she's not trying to match her movements to his. Raye can dance pretty well, as any future singer should. As long as they're not waltzing, she should be fine.]

[If you don't mind that her steps are pretty outdated.]

[Jaune, however, is full of surprises. She's not sure why she didn't think he could dance because he's obviously good. She grins, approving. Maybe if he danced all the time, he wouldn't have to worry about tripping and clumsiness.]

You're good! Do it again.

[short_n_sweet]

[Likely no one thinks he can dance because he doesn't seem like the kind of guy to dance. And honestly, he really doesn't dance often. It's not like he practices or anything like that. On the contrary, it just seems like when he decides to get his groove on, he does it naturally well.]

Eh? Again? Uh... hm.

[Well now the pressure's on, and his natural ability is being taxed by the stress of having to perform under judgement. Regardless, he gives it a shot. Letting go of Raye's hand, he gets his full body into the motion of dancing - which is still mostly leg-work, but the occasional step he had called for some swaying and sliding.]

[It's weird how a guy with two left feet in most normal situations can somehow make one solid motion run through his whole body. He can make it -look- like he was patting his hip, and guiding the force of movement through his swaying hips towards his other arm in a sort of wave. A couple precise side-steps, a sliiiide back into his starting position, and a little hop to click his heels together, and he'd land with a 'ta-daah!' Jazz hands!]

[His composure was lost as he laughed.] You're not gonna make me dance for you all night, are you? My legs'll get tired!

[flamescout]

[Raye laughs, delighted. Her admiration for him is starting to climb to dangerous levels to the point where she's actually considering going steady with him after tonight.]

Maybe...half the night.

[She winks, her own moves not even half as flashy. There's mostly just a lot of hand and armwork, with slidesteps from left to right and back again. Sometimes she'll indulge in a twirl too, sending her long black hair sailing in a graceful arc.]

[short_n_sweet]

Psh, well I'm not dancing alone.

[Then he takes her hands into his own, but he's not entirely sure what he's going to do with her at this point. It's less like dancing and more like attempting to dance while holding her hands.]

If you're gonna have me dancing half the night, then you're going to be my partner. [He smiles.] Then we take a break get some food, maybe... step outside for a bit, just the two of us. [And a charming wink. He can't help himself.]

[flamescout]

[Any other girl might have rolled her eyes at that. It's such an obvious pick-up line. But Raye eats it up like delicious sugary popcorn. Red stains her cheeks, and her eyes get extra glittery. It's so romantic! How can she help herself?]

Oh, um...yeah! That sounds awesome, heh!

[She didn't even have to fake tripping so she could cling to him. This is amazing! Raye smiles, holding his hands a little tighter as they're joined in their...can it even really be called a dance? Their steps match the rhythm, but the styles are from synchronized. Still, it's pretty obvious she's having fun, and that's kind of a rarity for the big grouch.]

[short_n_sweet]

[Maybe that's why he gets along with Ray so well. Weiss would have totally rolled her eyes. So would Yang. And Ruby. And Blake. Well, at least someone was responsive to his charms! He beamed, just so pleased that everything was going well.]

[Eventually the faster, more up-beat songs kinda give way to more slow music. The later in the night it got, the more likely those sorts of songs would happen, right? And Jaune did want to dance with Raye in just such a fashion, but that was... awfully romantic. Dinner was one thing, for-fun dancing was another, but slow, hold-her-close dancing? That made Jaune nervous enough to feel a rush of warmth and colour to his own cheeks.]

Jeez, songs like this always make me feel kinda nervous.

[flamescout]

[Raye, on the other hand, has been anticipating this moment. Like a bird of prey. Finally she gets to slow dance with a cute guy! One more dream come true. And after being stuck in this crummy city for over a year, weathering trial after trial, she feels she's definitely earned this.]

Nervous? What for? You're doing fine!

[Now's her chance! She just has to lean against his chest and let him hold her.]

Just stay close to me, all ri-YIIIIGH!

[She did not, however, take into account the fact that she might step on the hem of her gown and go slamming into her dance partner.]

[short_n_sweet]

[Are Raye and Jaune around the same height? Assumptions are simply yes, they are. That trip and stumble sends Raye's beautiful face, with that dark, flowing hair and those deep eyes, slamming into Jaune's own face. A kiss? Hardly. It was more like her forehead was getting intimate with his nose. Yeowch!]

Raye-- GWAH! [*WHAM* Jaune stumbles back at the hit, holding his nos, it's a knee-jerk reaction, just to stop any bleeding.]

Ye-ow...! [He clenches his eyes shut a moment, then opens them again.] A-Are you okay?!

[flamescout]

[Raye groans, butt up in the air, foot twitching, face mashed into the ground. How very elegant she is.]

M'fine...

[She plants her palm into the ground to peel herself off the floor, sitting up to look at Jaune. That was a complete disaster.]

What about you?

[Her face is bright red. How embarrassing!]

[short_n_sweet]

I'm fine. I'm pretty sure I am anyway.

[Taking his hand away from his nose, there's some blood there. He eeps and covers it back up!] Yup! Just fine!

[He reaches out so he could take her hand and help her back up. A little bloody nose isn't going to stop him from being a nice guy. It's just going to make his eyes water.]

[flamescout]

[Geez, way to ruin a moment, Raye. This level of klutziness even surpasses Serena's! She feels extra bad when she sees the blood, blinking in surprise. Seizing Jaune's hand, she makes a beeline for the bathrooms.]

Let's get you cleaned up. No sense getting your suit dirty after you went through all of that trouble to look nice.

[She smiles back over her shoulder, though it's strained.]

...Sorry.

[short_n_sweet]

[Oop, Raye's got her hands on him now, and is dragging him towards the bathrooms. Well, that made sense, and Jaune follows right along with her until it's obvious she's going to fuss over him a little more than is necessary.] Raye, no-- Hold on, it's okay! You can't--

[He can't stop her in time. She's going into the bathroom. With him. Welp, too late now!]

... It's alright. [Jaune looks at the door as it closes, then to Raye, uncovering his face.] Nah, I get bloody noses all the time! Usually it's from falling, but hey, I guess getting one from a girl is a step up in the world!

[flamescout]

[Raye smiles, albeit a little sheepishly. He's...really a nice guy.]

Let's just not make this a habit or anything.

[She soaks a paper towel in cold water, then gingerly wipes at the blood dribbling down his upper lip.]

It's not broken, is it?