A Night of Bewitchment - The First MCSS Fundraising Ball

Boop

Boop

Little Bo Peep
Nov 30, 2016
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Maarab simply nodded. "Seems like we have that much in common then. This island is probably my first contact with a society that is not soldiers. Even our opponents were fighters, for all their claims of being different.... The pacifism is a strange thing."

"Purpose..." Maarab opened his mouth as if to speak, closed it again with a frown. Shifting his feet slightly, he cast a silent glance around the room, distant again. Then he shrugged. "Coming here changed everything. For now I am a student. Perhaps later..." he trailed off, continuing after a pause, voice steady if a little quieter, "It is hard to find.. leadership, and weapons are not in much demand here. As I have said, it is different from my home."

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PixelatedGlory

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Felen couldnt go quite so far as to call the pacifism on the island strange. It was nice knowing that not everyone had to serve as a soldier, even if great discipline and the push towards becoming better were good things he himself had gained from his experience. But he understood having difficulty adjusting.

"Dont worry," he comforted as he reached out to pat Maarab once on the shoulder with his normal hand. "Learning what you can and slowly adjusting to living here is indeed a purpose you can pursue until a greater one comes along. For me it was finding an employer to work for, for you it might mean finding something you find worthy protecting."

Seeing how uncomfortable the tone had gotten Felen glanced over to check on Zora again before turning back to Maarab. "You said part of the reason you are here is to dance right? Perhaps now would be a good time for some cheering up through a little movement?" He sympathized with the fellow ex soldier.

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Keen

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After finishing his conversation with Aedes and Aisha, it seemed like people were beginning to take their leave now, or were distracted with their company. Even the host had taken her exit. Perhaps that was Kon's sign to start heading out as well.

Before leaving, he wandered around the ballroom, hoping to pick up any useful bits of knowledge for himself. This place was certainly useful for finding DNA, but it didn't feel right to take advantage of charity meant for people who truly needed it. Perhaps he would look into working with them someday, but for now, he was hesitant. He needed to get a better feel of what he would be working with. See if he could be comfortable helping them or comfortable getting help from them.
 
Boop

Boop

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Maarab hadn't quite recognized the shift in tone, lost momentarily in thought, common enough for him, especially lately. He blinked at Felen's hand on his shoulder, not startled enough to attack the other man because of it, but surprised nonetheless. He wasn't the type of person people generally tried to comfort. The touch was brief enough that he didn't comment, only acknowledging it with a slight nod.

"Yes.. pursuing knowledge does take time. And this island has a lot to discover." He raised an eyebrow at the idea of finding his purpose in protecting something. "I must say that being a protector is something that has never occurred to me before." Maarab wasn't even sure what to think of it, and his brow furrowed as he started to drift in thought again.

That was something to consider later though, as Felen had just offered a dance, and Maarab did need to get out of his head a bit. "Dancing - that does sound like a good idea. " Maarab glanced around with a grin. He wasn't exactly familiar with the current dance, but it seemed simple enough that it should be easy to pick up. "Have you danced in this manner before?" He said, offering his arm, but willing for the other man to take the lead.

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Felen didn't let his hand linger any longer than it took for the brief pat to his shoulder, but even that seemed alien to Maarab and Felen wondered if he'd made the man more uncomfortable. But calling attention to it by asking him would only make it worse so he moved on.

Similarly it seemed they might have had different feelings about what a soldier fought for. Felen considered it a way to protect people but Maarab didn't seem to see it that way. No matter though, the idea of dancing broke up the awkwardness.

Felen nodded and took Maarab's arm to lead him to where others were now dancing. "I'm not an expert but it's not terribly different from other dancing I am familiar with. We can take it slow." And with that he began leading Maarab in a very casual imitation of the dancing going on around them
 
Boop

Boop

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"Slow," Maarab laughed wryly. "I was thinking the dancing at home was more wild than this. As much fighting as entertainment. Sometimes I am sure there was no difference at all. " He grinned at the memories - for all its flaws there was still plenty he missed about home. But in spite of his speech, there was grace in his movements, some tension already leaving. He was a natural follower, and for a few moments he just focused on the motion.

"This style has its merits. I have had less chances to interact with people on this island.. Or socializing is more complicated here. It is good to be able to enjoy another person's company more simply." As the music continued, Maarab kept up fairly well, without pushing, occasionally glancing around at the others in the crowd or just watching Felen.

"Did you have much opportunities for dancing before this?"
 
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Of course his idea of dancing would have been intertwined with fighting. It wasnt all that uncommon in abstract terms- the fluid body movement and practical choreography of dancing paired well with combat training.

"We could pick up the pace if you wish, but you're right of course. Harder to socialize if we decide to move too rapidly around," he continued his measured, very fluid movements. Not exactly emulating the others around them perfectly. Deliberately or not he was shaping their dance to be a little more... elegant, with a grace that came from steps that naturally flowed into others without any jerky repositioning motions. Conserving and maintaining the flow of the dance.

"Not so much dancing while in training or while deployed, but in the off time it was a fairly common activity. Elves, even the ones from where I come, from value artistic expression and perfecting one's hobbies. We were soldiers but the end goal of service was to retire to those kinds of lofty pursuits," he explained quietly as they continued to dance. Others were dancing as well and for the most part they were just another couple of people in the crowd. Even with the various bandages, odd eyes and hands. As "normal" as they could probably get.

Felen couldnt help but offer a small smile. "For not being so familiar with this style you're doing quite well Mr. Tselel."
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