Goin' to the Chapel! (open: partygoers)

Sorcha shook her head, no, Therese's uncle was not forever haunting the living world. She was relieved when it appeared that the other woman was going to take her word on this explanation. Many seemed quite determined to stubbornly cling to the idea that their loved ones were somehow in great distress in the here after. Sorcha was personally always cynical about the motives for such behavior; it seemed often times to be more about their own vanity and drama than anything actually having to do with the deceased.

She nodded in a confirmation of Therese's wishes though she had no way of knowing whether she would see the uncle again.

Instead her own relative made another appearance, Rio stood next to her and peered off through the crowd of people.

"It should come as no surprise that you are once again causing trouble."

Not looking at her sibling, Sorcha mentally retorted.

"What are you talking about? The uncle asked me to tell her. Now you want me to stop doing what you spirits ask? I have good reason to know that advice will change later."

Rio sighed dramatically and looked at her like she was speaking to a particularly dull child. She then pointed towards the last place Sorcha had seen Jin and his companions.

"Not paying very close attention are you? You have been noticed by the tall guy over there; The one in the top hat. He seems very curious about you and Amir."

Sorcha resisted the urge to look back over at the group. Instead she sent to Jin.

[Anything wrong? My sister seems to believe that I have committed some grave error by being present tonight. It had something to do with the guy with you.]

Bringing her attention back to Vaughn, Sorcha nodded, yes, and then had to go back through the conversation to piece together just what she had agreed to. Oh, she had been going somewhere. Too late to explain that it was nothing important.

She wrote in her book and showed to the couple

I wanted to look around. I will be back shortly. Thank you for the invitation to join you.

She looked down at Amir before leaving.

[It would seem you get your chance to find some answers.]

((OOC: Artemis and/or Jin empathized with permissions! ))

Mara looked in the direction of the red head in question and noted that it was Sorcha, which made sense - she was rather easily distinguished in a crowd.

"He does seem very well-behaved," she said to Artemis when he pointed out Sorcha's companion. It was second nature to her to stick up for Amir even when he didn't need it. Which was most days. She did it anyway though.

Mara happily tucked the hand without the drink in it into Jin's offered arm. She knew they were here to accomplish... well, something... but really she was here as Jin's companion, and if he determined that they were to socialize and that socializing included dancing, who was she to argue?

She practically skipped a step right there when Jin asked her if she wanted to dance. "I would love to dance," she said, giving him her first real, genuine, happy smile of the night. "I'm not worried for my shoes, but I'm happy to know you're thinking of their safety."

As they hit the floor Mara was already moving. She listened to the song lyrics for a moment before recognizing the tune and laughing heartily. Knowing she'd require both hands for this dance, she quickly knocked back the remainder of her brightly-colored drink and left it with a passing waiter. Then with a bright smile she fell into an energetic dance, mixing together some twist and a few swing steps, trying to gauge Jin's level of dance ability. He certainly seemed light on his feet, but that did not always equate to having extensive knowledge of various dance steps.

((ooc: Song is Vampire Club by Voltaire, according to Jan))

Artemis half turned and looked at Jin over his shoulder in mock surprise.

"You mean you aren't Japanese Jin? The ears had me completely fooled."

If his friend had been telekinetic like his date, he probably would have earned a sound thump for that one. As they reached the stage, Artemis gave the redhead and her canine companion one last look. True, Morrigan probably would be pleased that the stature of women had increased on multiple levels over the years. Directing his attention to Mara, he smiled and nodded.

"Yes, he does. Definitely well trained."

He might have added that he was more of a cat person, because he was. But that might have been misunderstood both by the lady dressed as a cat and the lady dressed as a fictional character that had cat issues. There was certainly a bit of irony there. Instead, he listened to the music to find the rhythm. Recognizing the song, he shook his head and grinned before beginning to dance. Taking Pak's hand, Artemis completed a triple step pattern before passing her under his raised arm in a twirl. Pulling her back in, he lifted her up a couple of feet and spun around before putting her gently back on the ground. He had been mindful not to lift her too high, certainly not as high as his height and strength would allow. With both of her feet on the ground, he took her hands in his and pushed her gently away from him and then pulled her back in again. The music was lively, if not his style. However, the lyrics were oddly appropriate.

"I suppose we should be grateful they opted for this song and not Zombie Prostitute."

Watching Mara finish off her drink with gusto Pak was a little surprised. So much so that she totally missed her opportunity to 'accidentally' step on Artemis' foot. While she didn't know for sure Pak suspected Mara didn't drink too much. Still, what could one drink do to a vampire?

Suddenly she was regretting her hint they should dance, she was so in over her head here. But Artemis didn't give her much time to dwell on it and suddenly she was dancing. Apparently A) he was a better dancer than he'd let on and B) if you just didn't obsess about it even Pak could mostly manage this.

Just as she as starting to think she was getting the hang of things her feet left the ground. Fairly certain he hadn't cleared that with Air Traffic Control she clung to him once she'd landed, well after the landing and the spinning.

She giggled, partly at herself and partly at him.

"And how do you know that isn't up next?"Â?

Now that she had an idea what he was capable of Pak was able to relax and go with it. He'd just caught her off guard was all.

[Answers are good,] Amir replied, trying to resist the urge to run off yelping to the restroom so he could find a tissue and clear his nose of the cloying scent. [Is someone burning incense?]

He wasn't used to having his nose messed with, but then again he rarely took this form in a venue of this sort. So he made his best guess under the circumstances. Careful to stay in character, he continued to wear a canine grin plastered foolishly onto his face, wagging his tail as he stood next to Sorcha, prepared to go wherever she wanted to.

[She seems to have some trouble with the idea that her uncle is looking over her,] Amir sent as he regarded Therese. He shrugged it off though... it didn't really matter to him how she felt, one way or another. Her jumpiness on the topic was intriguing though. He wondered how she'd feel if she knew who Sorcha was. And who Sorcha's dog was. The idea amused him greatly.

His eyes darted to Sorcha at her sending and then went back to the cleared space near the stage. He was not about to explain Artemis to her at this particular moment. At least not fully explain.

[He noticed you and mentioned that you looked like Morrigan. He used to be Anantya but is now Evenhet. I don't think it was more than passing curiosity. No need to worry.]

His companion readily agreed to dance and that made him rather happy. He would have been disappointed to stand around and watch Artemis having all the fun.

Jin raised his eyebrows at Mara's knocking back the rest of the alcoholic brew. There was more hard liquor in there than it seemed; he watched the bartender make it. He supposed it was a good thing she was a vampire or he might have been scooping her off the dance floor in a few minutes.

He gave her a wide grin in return for the one she gave him. Dancing was something that especially suited his abilities and periodic role within his Order. Being a good dance partner had brought about plenty of helpful information and it never suited to have a diplomat (or spy) gain notice by embarrassing themselves in a ballroom.

Beyond all that, he really actually enjoyed the activity.

Jin didn't know the song at all but the beat was easy to pick up on. Mara had started the twist and it certainly suited that style of dancing. He took her hand and pulled her close for the fast paced jitterbug. Starting off with something light, Jin did the basic swing side to side and rock step before giving her a slight pull towards him, letting go with one hand. She got the hint and he gently pushed her away for a spin, collecting her hand again for a round of dancing side by side and then going back into the basic pattern.

It seemed Artemis was planning on laying any further mention of dancing trauma to rest. He did know that the man was fairly well acquainted with a variety of dances and comported himself with a decent amount of grace...despite his unfortunate height.

Jin smiled at Mara and nodded towards the other couple.

"I suppose we have feline honor to uphold. If you're up for it."

He gave Artemis a quizzical frown as they passed close together.

"A zombie prostitute? That doesn't even sound remotely appealing."

((OOC: Permission granted to move Mara..its hard to dance otherwise O_O ))

Mara couldn't have been more pleased with he music selection, really. Cheesy lyrics aside the swing in any form was her favorite type of dance. Possibly some influence by Shades in there, she thought, but whatever the reason she loved to swing. And Jin appeared to be no slouch. He was fast on his feet and seemed to be testing the waters with his steps the same as she.

Polishing off her drink quickly had given her a pleasant sort of buzz and had served to quell any inhibitions she might have felt dancing with someone she didn't know very well at a party full of near-complete strangers. So Mara's bright smile remained firmly in place when Jin noted the gauntlet had been thrown down for them.

"I think we should take them out," Mara said with ruthless good nature, glancing at Pakpao and flashing her a wider grin for a brief moment. "There's no way the Mad Hatter's dancing could be better than the cast of Cats."

She was tempted to fire off her own series of steps but that wouldn't have been polite. Mara knew the rules and played well by them. The male partner lead the dance, and that was that. She kept pace easily with Jin as they continued their basic pattern with a few variations, attentive to the pressure of his hands to let her know what was happening. She wasn't concerned with keeping up with him.

The subject of a zombie prostitute had come up, and Mara nodded in agreement with Jin. "This is far better," she said, "even if only for the irony of it."

It was ironic on multiple levels... obviously for the company they were currently keeping but Mara herself spent a lot of time in just such a club here in Nachton. As far as she knew, Shades had never played this particular song though. She wondered how he'd react if she made a request.

Vaughn nodded to Sorcha and said.

"We'll be over there then."

As the other woman turned to leave, he looked down at Therese.

"It appeared to me that she had something to tell you. I don't think you inconvenienced her."

Nodding his chin over at the table, Vaughn asked.

"Shall we?"

Reaching the table, he pulled out a chair for Therese and then took a seat himself. He looked out over at the dancing that had started up with the lively song that had begun. Raising his eyebrows at the lyrics, he looked at his companion.

"I wonder what we have walked into."

He watched the several couples that started the activity on the floor. They both seemed very good and Vaughn wondered if they had just been waiting for something faster paced to be played so that they could cut loose with the swing.

Taking a sip of his wine, Vaughn leaned towards Therese.

"Would you care to dance? If they should play something more appropriate to our attire."

He was no stranger to the fast paced dancing but Therese was in a ballgown. Doing the jive while wearing floor length fabric seemed difficult and awkward and he had no want to make Therese uncomfortable.

However, if the band could be persuaded to do a slower song then she would look stunning on the dance floor. If his companion was not interested in dancing then he was just as happy watching from the sidelines. They could even keep score.

"Or we can stay here and be dance critics."

He gave her a rare wicked grin, his eyes full of lighthearted mischief.

((OOC: Because we both need two dancers on the floor, right? ))

"I hope not."Â?

Thérèse agreed trying to shove the whole encounter out of her mind. It was a bit odd and had left her feeling just a half bubble off. She didn't know if she'd like to talk to Sorcha again or not. Perhaps.

It was very easy to be distracted by Vaughn though. He was quite charming, even that little bit of manners pulling out the chair for her was appreciated. Of course, this was all perfectly innocent though. He was just being polite to a new arrival.

"I suspect we are quite out numbered, but until I see a stoat or a jackal we will have to assume it is simply a party."Â?

She said with a grin. Although, she didn't much feel like letting her guard too far down. The encounter in the preserve combine with the 'visit' from her great uncle had left Thérèse a bit more alert than usual.

Thérèse nearly beamed when he asked if she'd like to dance. She loved dancing, although she did have to agree something slower would be more appropriate under the circumstances.

"Yes, I think I should. Had I known the band was going to be this energetic I should have worn something... more appropriate."Â?

She'd almost said 'short and revealing' but she was trying to keep things polite and innocent so that hardly seemed appropriate. And while she would have been perfectly at home with the dance, if nothing else, she was afraid her wig would fall off. That would be terribly embarrassing. No, his suggestion was more in keeping with their costumes.

Thérèse smothered a laugh behind her hand, not wanting to attract too much attention. But her answering smile was every bit as wicked.

"That could be entirely too entertaining."Â?

Music this lively would undoubtedly make for some fantastic follies.

"Where shall we start?"Â?

There were too many choices. There was what had to be the Mad Hatter and Alice and then two cats, and at least half a dozen other couples with varying costumes.

Artemis grinned down at Pak as she clung to him. He was truly enjoying himself. Not just the clinging, but the dancing too. It had been a long time, too long, since he had let himself have this much fun.

"That is fine. But, I refuse to line dance"

He had once allowed an evening meal to take him to a club on Halloween. Voltaire's ghoulish music was playing. When he saw the line dancing, he knew instantly that it was one style that was not for him. Honestly, he had to fight the urge to nudge one of the dancers to see if they would all fall like dominoes. It was one of those twisted passing thoughts that everyone has but never really acknowledges. He had 'suggested' to his date that there were better things to occupy their time.

Artemis couldn't help but laugh at Jin's response to the song title.

"Well, the zombie prostitute might not appeal to you, but apparently the song's creator had quite a thing for her."

Or was that an 'it'? Artemis wasn't quite sure. Fortunately he was distracted from further contemplation by the dancing challenge. Giving it his best pout, he tried to look dismayed without laughing as he pointed to Pak's shoes.

"No fair! I have been instructed to be careful with the shoes. I vowed no scuffing."

With a laugh, he picked Pak up by the waist and then set her back down so that her feet rested on top of his. He then went into a basic pattern for the east coast swing. Side step. Side step. Then back. Whenever Artemis stepped back, he would shift Pak's weight in his arms so that she was only standing one of his feet. After lifting her up and spinning around one more time, he set her down. Ending in a dip, he gave her a small kiss on the tip of her nose.

"It would seem, that the kitties want to play. What do you say?"

Either Mara was having a very good time or the drink was affecting her just a little bit. Pak's eyebrows shot up as the challenge. OK so of the four of them she apparently had the least dance experience, or ability even, but still!

She was quite happy to dance on Artemis' feet for a moment. If anyone in her department were to see her, her T-Rex image would be shot, but her shoes were safe and he was doing an excellent job of making her look like a competent dancer.

"I never did like Cats, the story is too muddled."Â?
The dip, given the difference in their heights was no mean feat. It would have been hard -not- to have a good time . With a grin and having too much fun to care if she was being forward or not Pak quickly gave her dance partner a kiss on the cheek.

"Never give up, never surrender. And no way is my excellent taste in footwear going to get you out of this."Â?

Standing up she half trotted half hopped off the dance floor, removed her shoes and hid them under a table. If some one stole them there would be hell to pay, but she was willing to risk it. Returning, now barefoot, she just looked at Jin and Mara.

"Bring it on."Â?

Sure she was now three inches shorter but even if she had to regenerate a limb, the shoes would be safe. But you just couldn't let a challenge like that go unanswered.

Jin just shook his head at the explanation Artemis gave of what was apparently another song.

"Sounds unsanitary."

He smiled at Mara's willingness to accept the dancing challenge. When his friend claimed no fair on account of precious shoes, Jin just grinned. The handicap wasn't placed by him so he felt no remorse for the Roman's situation. Artemis had a solution though so it hardly mattered.

Jin watched Pak run off and come back shoeless. Apparently now it was on.

He turned his attention back to his partner and, after one rotation of the basic step, let go of one hand, guiding Mara through a turn that passed under his arm. Jin then executed the same move under her's. After the next rock step back he pulled her close and scooping a hand under the back of her legs, Jin flipped her up and over his shoulders sideways so that she dropped down, landing next to him. The placement let him take her hand again, spin her out and be in position for the basic step again.

Jin paused the flair long enough to regard Mara's expression.

"Having fun yet?"

Mara arched her eyebrows at Pak. "It's a wonderful story," she sniffed in mock disagreement. "I'm hurt that you don't approve."

Pak knew full well who she was talking to. Mara knew Pak would understand that she was teasing, so she feigned injury in the interest of fun. She watched as Pak ran off to get rid of her shoes. When Pak returned, Mara smiled and shook her head.

"That's not going to help you."

The fun of dancing swing, as Mara always noted with Amir, was that you could be thrown all over the place repeatedly. Mara's agility certainly extended to mid-air, and when Jin placed his arm behind her back she knew exactly what to expect. Two vampires made for an exciting display of seemingly effortless aerials. Mara sailed through the air and landed lightly beside Jin with one foot up and ready to step into the next move. She spun lightly, quickly out, flashed Jin a little grin, and spun back into him.

"This is perfect," she responded happily. If she'd known there would be dancing she'd never have been so reluctant to come.

Mara's face was flushed and her smile was completely unforced now. It had very little to do with her drink and everything to do with enjoyment. She glanced at Pak and Artemis to see where they stood on the 'impressive moves' list but couldn't spare too much attention before Jin spun her once again, this time to face him, and they lightly danced a series of complex foot-patterns with feet that barely seemed to touch down.

((ooc: Vampiric abilities - not just for sneaky black ops anymore!))

Vaughn considered the dancers for a moment before answering Therese. Taking another sip of wine, he said.

"I say we have a score for creativity and effort and one for technical merit."

He smiled at one guy who was squatting awkwardly, nodding his head and thrusting alternating thumbs up into the air. Vaughn wasn't entirely sure what dance the man was doing or even if it was an actual dance but his date looked properly mortified.

Nodding his head in that direction, he said.

"Definitely more creative expression going on there than any actual skill."

His eyes wandered over to the two couples that were outshining the rest.

"The guy in the top hat and his date are really doing quite well in both categories though I am not sure..."

Vaughn was about to say he wasn't sure why the woman was dancing on top of the man's feet but then he saw her leave and come back without shoes. Odd really, the tall man didn't seem to be bad enough to be worried over scuffing the shiny things but then again he supposed accidents did happen.

"Well, I guess that answers that."

He thought it did anyway.

"I'd be more worried about my feet than my shoes but living with a fashionista has taught me to never underestimate the lengths a woman will go to for the sake of fine vestments."

Thérèse cocked her head at the thumb dancing. Sipped at her wine and repeated the process. It did not get any better. Finally she made up her mind and just laughed, although she felt rather bad for the woman involved. No one should have to put up with that kind of dancing.

"I do not belive there is even must creativity. I think, perhaps, that is too much champagne and a lack of inspiration. I will be quite disappointed if you cannot do considerably better."Â?

Her foot was absently tapping along with the lively beat and, lyrics aside, she was enjoying the music.

It didn't take long to settle on watching the two couples that seemed to be most into and capable on the dance floor. She thought perhaps the edge in technical merit went to the cats but creativity may have gone to Top Hat and Headband. She hadn't danced on anyone's feet since she was five, maybe six, years old. Given how short his partner was it was rather charming.

It was impossible to repress another giggle as Headband ran off the floor to store her shoes.

"Good shoes will last forever if you take care of them. And patent leather is impossible to fix once it is ruined."Â?

Thérèse defended Headband's actions. She wasn't poor, but she didn't have the latest and greatest shoes. Still Thérèse was quite happy to save up for one or two perfect pairs per season.

"Besides, maybe they hurt her feet. Those heels are quite high."Â?

She grinned at Vaughn, teasing at the same time she added her own point of view. The fact that Thérèse's heels tonight were every bit as high as those wasn't something she was going to mention.

The other couple was quite impressive. The woman was very early boneless as she perfectly flew with her partner. She probably had more experience than Headband.

"Mmmmm I do hate to say it but I think the cats might be winning, at least on technical merit. They really are quite good."Â?

They were both ridiculously light on their feet. Even Thérèse had to envy their foot work. Next time she was wearing a shorter dress.

Artemis watched with amusement as Pak removed her shoes and hid them under the table. He had half expected her to tie pieces of the silverware to them as some sort of makeshift shoe alarm. Perhaps he should suggest it.

When she came back to him, he just grinned temporarily forgetting the other couple. With her in his arms, he moved side to side slowly, allowing himself to enjoy the moment. Then picking up the beat again, he started moving them faster in time to the music. A wicked grin spread across his face.

"Ready? Feel free to smack Jin while you are out there."

With that, he spun Pak out and waited a moment before pulling her back in. Picking her by the waist, he passed her halfway through his legs while she was in the plank position. Adjusting his hold, he flipped her horizontally. Pak had completed a 360 twist before he caught her hands and pulled he back up. Artemis laughed as the song came to an end. Wrapping his arms around Pak, he gave her a warm and playful hug.

Now that the shoe problem had been resolved, and before the next song began, he was sure he needed to find out what other limitations and boundaries there might be. He was almost certain that "no backflips" was one. Still wrapping her in his embrace, he lowered his head to ask.

"So, before the next song, and ground rules?"

Pak sighed and relaxed for just a second as they danced slowly for a moment or two. Maybe the next song would be a slow one. But she quickly picked up the beat long with him.

"Wait? I'm a weapon now?"Â?

Of course she thought she was more or less a weapon as it was, her dancing was only passable and with the fancy steps it would be really easy for Pak to lose control and double a a missile taking out several couples. It was probably a very good thing she'd left her shoes under the table.

There wasn't much time for thinking, at least not about anything but the steps. It had been a very long time since she'd danced like this, or at all. This was one of those times when being tiny had its advantages, Pak was historically very easy to toss around. Although, her own acrobatics were not nearly as good as Mara's. Of course vampire strength had its advantages, Artemis was able to pull her through with a minimum of dropping, stumbling and unintentional flying.

Laughing she looked up at him slightly incredulous.

"-Now- you ask that?"Â?

She shook her head before resting it on his chest.

"If you break me you've bought me."Â?

Jan looked back at the band and shrugged. He had paused their normal overly serious dark music and sang something silly for the sake of the event. He didn't think that would inspire dancing.

Nor did he know Voltaire had quite this diverse of a following. Some of these people looked like they went to PTA meetings and drove supposedly sensible cars with more seats and cup holders than any one family had a right to need.

While singing, Jan watched the people dancing down below. He heard the comments about the little contest between the two couples that started the little dance craze. He had to say that they both gave it a good showing and other people had tumbled onto the dance floor as well. Now there was a nice grouping of moving couples. Jan figured he should sing something romantic.

....Nah.

Pulling the mic close, he grinned.

"Since you liked that one so much then here's another."

With that he added the second Voltaire song of the night, "When you're evil."

Sorcha sniffed delicately and then sorted the impressions into things she could recognize. People, food, blood...hmmm, faint though. Probably a fresh scrap or something.

Looking around, Sorcha spotted the source of the fresh blood smell; a woman on the dance floor tried to put her stiletto heel through her partner's shin. He had a rip in his dress pants and was now hopping and yelling. The woman said it couldn't be that bad;it was just a bruise. No, Sorcha could agree with the guy; it was that bad.

There was the faint smell of electrical things and of course, the mix of cleaners to mask the smell of death and decay.

[No, I don't think I smell any incense. Lead the way. I will follow.]

She looked back over the dance floor and saw her Creator tossing Mara over his shoulder. They appeared to be having a good time. Sorcha smiled. They really looked amazing together and she was glad Jin was enjoying himself. He had seemed very stressed lately.

Turning away, Sorcha followed Amir through the crowd.

Amir did lead the way, away from the dance floor. He was following the scent that threatened to overpower his oversensitive nose. Most people cleared the way, seeing Sorcha walking him through the crowd - once they noticed him, that is. Amir was not a large animal in this form. Granted, forty pounds was on the large size for a jackal but it still made him a smallish shepherd mix. Sorcha's striking height and bright hair were probably attracting more attention, until they noticed her "wolf" was alive.

They followed the scent all over, Amir trying to be subtle about it. He finally realized it was everywhere, throughout the room and probably the entire building. All over anything wooden.

[Sorcha? Does this thing smell familiar to you?]

Amir felt a sudden misgiving. Sometimes scents, amplified by thousands of times, threw him off. It could happen to anyone, he found himself thinking defensively, when they weren't used to smelling things in such magnitude. Anyone!

He was going to feel very guilty about dragging Sorcha around if his hunch proved correct.