Open The First Lilac Ball

Yuki followed Gabe's lead, still trying hard not to stare and failing terribly at it. Gabe just looked so handsome. Hair swished back into neat lines, a dashing figure and shoes polished to smartness all led to perhaps the most dandy outfit he'd ever seen Gabe wear. It was hard to keep the mushy look off of his face as he doted perhaps a little too hard and his eyes crinkled in the corners. He was so happy. The lights twinkled and the ballroom glittered, floor reflecting the bright atmosphere as music gently played in the background. Not traditional dance music, but ah well. One never knew when things could change, after all. He adjusted his own grey suspenders (he'd settled for compromise between white and black) as he shook out the tension, white fitted trousers ruffling before he straightened his purple bowtie that lay askew at the collar of his lavender shirt. He checked his shoes again - black, to tie everything together - and took Gabe's outstretched hand.

Yuki knew from his experience last time that at these kinds of events, alcohol was never really alcohol until you were an adult. (And the drinking age was 21 here - something he didn't really get. But oh well. Alcohol was bad for him anyway since it was stronger for his body, but it didn't always feel like a proper event if he didn't even get a sip of champagne. His parents trusted him to be responsible, and he'd never failed them yet - in that respect, at least.

"It is amazing," he let Gabe lead him into the room proper. "Did you want a dance or two?" He kissed Gabe's hand and led them to a quieter space, assuming formal starting position. "It's a slow dance. We can do that swaying thing with our arms on each other's shoulders." His face was aglow with joy as the music lulled him into its calm, the slow beat seeping into his soul. He couldn't wait to just forget everything and dance the night away.

He'd gently wrap an arm around her as they danced. "Well....I'm not always great with people," he'd say with a sigh. "I'm kinda prickly," he'd say with a slightly embarrassed smile, "you managed to get by all that though."

Their dance continued, the vampire syncing his movements with his arachnid partner. "Luckily I found a good partner, both for dancing and otherwise," his hand would briefly leave hers to brush a bit of hair from his face, his messy hair slowly escaping the hair gel.

Nathan would blush a bit. "If only my hair would work with us," he'd say with a small chuckle. @Pallas

Katie

Katie blinked as Vespa began dancing with her, their arms around each other. On the list of things she'd expected to happen tonight, this was far from one of them. She honestly couldn't tell if Vespa was flirting with her, or if she didn't understand the significance of what she was doing

"Well, um, some couples do." Katie said, taking Vespas hand in her own, and pivoting so that they could face each other. Then she began trying to wordlessly lead Vespa through a partner dance. To any outsider, it would look like an uncoordinated variation of the Waltz, with Katie trying to mix in more complex moves when she felt she could, though she was careful to not make it seem too difficult.

"I think dancing together is more fun." Katie said with a smile, she was busy enjoying the moment, and was unconcerned with how they may look.

@Saber

He'd chuckle. "Maybe a tiny bit weird, but I think that's ok," he did sorta like her messing with his hair. "Maybe there's a way to cut it while keeping some of the spikey fluffiness you like?" he was going to have to look up some haircuts.

"You ever cut anyone's hair?" he'd ask, remembering a part in the book they were reading where the male protagonist got his hair cut by his love interest. "Maybe you can help me tame my hair," he'd say with w chuckle.

They continued to slow dance, vampire being grateful that he'd secretly practiced as well. Finally the music neared its end, their slow dance slowing and coming to it's conclusion. Nathan smiling and leaning in, giving her a gentle kiss. @Pallas

Gabe felt himself follow along as Yuki led him to a space not quite in the center of the dance area and getting into a proper dance position. He couldn't help but smile at the offer of a dance or two, specifically a slow dance. It was nice to do things like this. Dressing up somewhat fancy, hold his boyfriend close and just... not have to worry about anything at all. They could just enjoy the night without any trouble looming overhead.

"Of course I'd love a dance with you, Yuki." Gabe felt himself already beginning to sway as the music played and he reached to pull his boyfriend's hands toward his own shoulders while his own hands slid down and rested on Yuki's sides instead. He gave a small wink as he pulled the two a little closer, attempting to lead the white-haired boy in the sway of the music.

"How's this for the slow dance?" He beamed, doing his best not to hum along to the melody.

Yuki couldn't help but giggle in delight at the sensation of Gabe's hands on his sides, a gentle warmth holding him steady and sending small jolts of happiness through his skin wherever Gabe's fingers were. His hands automatically looped around Gabe's neck as he pulled them closer, bodies so close they were nearly touching. They swayed to the music, enveloped in its rhythm and lost in each other's eyes. Gabe's smile was beautiful. His irises shone with so many hues despite their grey colour - and he would willingly argue with anyone who thought otherwise. The flecks of green danced in the light, and never had Yuki wanted so badly to just plant a kiss on Gabe's cheeks than right now. But he'd hold back. After all, it wasn't just couples here and he didn't want to be that one guy with no sense for the right place and time. But maybe after a few dances Yuki could finally get a kiss.

"It's perfect," he whispered finally, the song coming to a close and the beat pumping up to something faster again. He could feel the synths blare and the pulse of the music quicken as some hit dance track started up. "But if you wanna dance to this," he began as he nodded his head, speaking a little louder to compete with the sound, "be warned that I have little to no experience with break dancing." He grinned.

Gabe couldn't help but enjoy the warmth bubbling in his chest when Yuki's hands wrapped around his neck. It had felt like they had gotten so far in their relationship despite the somewhat short time they had been together. But the white-haired boy was comforting to him in so many ways and he subconsciously shifted his hands to slide further back from Yuki's sides to his back to keep his boyfriend as close as possible while being respectful. Despite both of them being trained in formal dancing, this simple back and forth sway was so unbelievably different to anything he had expected it to be. He couldn't help but gaze into his boyfriend's eyes with a lovesick grin.

Yuki's lavender irises had always been one of Gabe's favorite things about his boyfriend; there was something about them that had always been so mesmerizing. With the two of them as close as they were, it took a lot of willpower to resist pressing his lips against Yuki's but the idea of being that forward at the dance felt a little too embarrassing.

As the music shifted to something faster, Gabe couldn't help but laugh at Yuki's comment. Of course the idea of break dancing sounded fun but it wasn't like he knew how to do it, either. "It's fine!" Gabe responded over the beat, still holding Yuki close. "I'm pretty sure I'd just rip my slacks if I tried any fancy moves. Well, if I knew how to break dance, that is."

Micha was a fourteen-year-old. No matter how well-raised he was, being told to not do something made him want to do it even more. He directed his head to face Tril and opened his eyes... only to see that they really were kidding. He clicked his tongue. Sure, it would have been freaky, but in a cool way. Freaky was cool.

But opening his eyes did make him see one thing about Tril: that wince. A concerned expression spread across his face. His mouth opened to ask if they were okay, but as they continued the conversation, he figured it might be best to ignore it.

"... Ha, yeah. I think rules are important. They can make things work. Society and people who are different and all that. Rules can keep things orderly. But sometimes those rules aren't worded well or people misinterpret them and." He closed his eyes and rolled his head back. "It's so complicated."

@PixelatedGlory