Event Private Finished The Night Is For The Two

The last time Brynjar had worn any kind of formal attire was, when he had been made grand general and the holder of immortality in an official ceremony. The very day Brynjar had received his punishment and doomed his own men to suffer along his side. No, suffer more than him.
It felt strange, and melancholic, to dress again in formal attire to enjoy an evening alongside one of the people he cared for the most in this new life he had been granted.
Brynjar was checking his cuff links for the umpteenth time, he had lost count after the seventh time. He was always quite nervous in Noel's company, although slightly less so lately, but today he could feel the fluttering in his stomach intensify yet again when he thought of the night to come. Brynjar had come to terms with one fact: Noel wasn't someone who was just a friend for him, not when it came to emotions. Brynjar thought of him in a very different way, a way his ancestors had called wrong and sinful. Brynjar had never thought of it that way, not when some of his students had come to him before with troubles such as the ones that were going through his own head this very moment. It was different, when it was about yourself. It was very different.
But Brynjar didn't wish to run from it, even when it was hard to accept it. He cared for Noel as a friend as well, and he deserved better.

Brynjar had rented a suit just for this occasion. It was a dark red tuxedo whose colour was much like Brynjar's favourite leather jacket. We was wearing a top hat, that matched it in colour, and though the outfit would've included a cane as well Brynjar had left it out. He enjoyed it when his hands were free and ready if needed. His mask matched well with the outfit, all in all Brynjar was looking quite handsome and his identity was hidden from all that didn't know him. But as he stood outside the ballroom, welcoming guests as one of the academy staff, his students greeted him as Mr. Ydmyk like usual. His tall stature and white hair gave it away quite easily.
Brynjar was waiting for Noel, after they had finished setting up the ball the two had agreed to meet back at the ball after changing into more festive attire. Brynjar had always been quick to dress, an old habit from being a warrior, so he had arrived early. And now he was waiting for Noel with his heart in his throat. Brynjar wasn't a good dancer, he was built for fighting and not socialite life. Brynjar was sure Noel was a good dancer, he could already see the man gliding across the dance floor. Rather, he wanted to see it.
The thought made Brynjar smile slightly as he checked his cuff links one more time.

Brynjar didn't exactly feel amazing, even though he knew his outfit looked quite impressive. And he felt even less so and more jittery, when he caught Noel's scent among the many others that were in the air tonight. He turned to look at Noel and recognized him immediately, freezing for a moment because of what he saw. Noel's outfit suited him so well it looked like it was made just for Noel, and it made him look quite, no, very handsome. The fluttering in Brynjar's stomach threatened to make Brynjar's face flushed, and it did a little. But his mask covered it.
Brynjar could feel a small smile rise to his face, it felt easier to smile when he had a mask on his face.

"Good evening Noel. Your outfit is...very nice, it suits you so well."
Brynjar said, keeping a slight pause in the middle to try and find right words that wouldn't be over-exaggerated but not too humble. Brynjar took the top hat off his head and set it against his chest, bowing his head a bit in greeting. Was this how it was done? Brynjar wasn't sure at all. He put the hat back on soon enough, bit embarrassed he had just done that.
"I arrived early, I'm...quite fast at dressing up. Um..."
Brynjar turned sideways from Noel and gestured towards the ballroom doors.
"Shall we?"

As they entered the ballroom Brynjar tried holding the door open for Noel, but the other man was quicker and Brynjar entered first, feeling a bit ashamed for his lack of manners. But that feeling was quickly chased out by the fluttering in his stomach when Noel set his hand on Brynjar's shoulder. He glanced at the hand and then at Noel, suddenly not that interested in the ballroom anymore, he had seen it already. But he wished to see more of Noel, dressed like he had stepped out of history.

But Brynjar didn't want to be caught staring, that would be quite rude, so when Noel pointed out some people Brynjar turned his head to look around the ballroom. Brynjar could recognize the people Noel had named, and he could recognize some of his own students and other teachers.
Brynjar took a closer look at all the guests in general, their flamboyant and elegant outfits, and felt like he had stepped to a pocket dimension, separate from the real world.
"I must admit I...did not know what I was expecting. But...this is quite the event. I am glad, that this is my first masquerade."

20 years ago Brynjar had not even considered going to the ball, he hadn't simply been ready for it. But he was glad he was here now, and as Noel smiled at him warmly he felt even more grateful for the older man's company.
"Then...I'm looking forward to next year's ball."
Brynjar answered, and smiled a small smile back at Noel. The thought that Brynjar was still going to be here next year, hopefully with Noel, somehow lifted his spirit.

Brynjar nodded to Noel's suggestion, and began heading towards the said refreshments table along with Noel. Brynjar walked just a bit on the front, so he could work as a kind of gentle path maker. He was big and people automatically dodged a bit when he walked by.
"Oh no..."
Brynjar muttered when he saw the crowd around the refreshments table. He didn't really want to go and try get past all those people, he didn't want to accidentally push anyone or such. He looked over at Noel, he didn't want disappoint him either. And to Brynjar Noel came first.
"Should I...get the drinks, if you found us a place to sit?"

Brynjar couldn't see it but he could feel Noel's eyes on him, and his face flushed a bit behind the mask. Brynjar truly was thankful for the mask, thanks to it he could still face and smile at Noel despite the blushing and embarrassment.

Brynjar nodded at Noel as the man went to get a table, and looked after him with the feeling of affection in his eyes. Brynjar touched his hand where Noel had touched him and got the urge to go back to Noel and link their hands, or perhaps even embrace the man. Naturally those thoughts made Brynjar's face heat up and after sighing a bit he went over to the refreshments table. Thankfully he didn't make anyone fall down, although few people that tried to shove Brynjar got shoved back themselves. Brynjar was like a rock, he wasn't easily pushed down.

After getting some drinks Brynjar pushed his way back through the crowd, able to keep the drinks from spilling. But his hat was a bit crooked and Brynjar's tie had come loose when a lady had accidentally tugged on it. So Brynjar looked a bit disheveled when he arrived at the table, setting the drinks down.
"Here. I guess I could say...mission accomplished."
Brynjar smiled slightly, trying to joke a bit as he looked at Noel. He hadn't realized the state of his hat or tie.