[ORP] Quadrants Day Dance

[Hivestuck]

Naturally, the Queen's hive in Four Fronds was not usually accessible to the public. If anything, it remained heavily guarded by prickly drones at all times. However, every so often she decided to throw a grand celebration of some sort and open her doors to trolls of all castes- and the Queen threw the best parties! Never skimping on a single detail, the ever so radical Regina knew how to party hardy and keep every troll thoroughly entertained.

The curtains in the main block of the queen's hive had been thrown back, letting the pale light of the two moons light up the grand foyer. Hanging from the ceiling were glowing green orbs, which flooded the area with an aesthetically pleasing sickly green glow. Alongside them banners adorned with the symbols of the four quadrants were strung up, swinging ever so slightly in the night breeze- and good gog, was that quadrant-themed glitter all over the dancefloor?! The same repeating four symbols were pasted on the walls, decorated the plates and cups and were generally everywhere you looked. If you hadn't realized it yet it was surely clear by now; it was Quadrant's Day and the Queen was throwing one righteous celebration!

Down one side of the room was an enormous buffet, with a small team of chefs constantly piling more hot food and fresh desserts onto it. The far opposite wall opened into a terrace clustered with tables and chairs. Between the food and the seating area, someone with either a lack of planning skills or a highly sadistic nature had placed the band and dance floor, so any troll wishing to enjoy their meal sitting down would be forced to navigate between the gyrating bodies, shielding their plate from harm and hungry fingers.

Even the seats for trolls wishing to cool their heals from dancing were clustered around the band, so any talking between the occupants would have to be shouted. The terrace itself spilled out onto the lawnring sprinkled with more seating and tables, and trolls could wander off into the grounds to enjoy a break from the commotion inside or maybe take a private stroll with that special someone...

The band alternated between sweet redrom ballads and the more aggressive blackrom jams, encouraging couples of all types to hit the dancefloor. They slouched onto stage, flipped their expressive haircuts, and got to work laying down some smooth, smooth tunes. The party had begun.  

[Hivestuck]

As you enter through the main entrance, you notice several buckets (the Queen must have had a crude sense of humor...) stuffed full of tentaclebeast plushies in various shades reflecting those of the four quadrants. A sign stands behind them, reading 'ALL PROFITS GO TOWARDS THE RESTORATION OF OLD HEMISECT'. Practically any troll could afford one or two of the shoddily sewn plushies, since all that was required as payment was a beetle donation in the amount of your choice. Two burly lookin' imperial drones stand idly by, just in case some jerkwad troll had the autoerogenous shame globes to try and run off with the practically free stuffed squiddles.

Feel free to grab one of the templates, fill it out, and send it to a friend! They can be in or out of character and sent by non-owners too, it's all good in the hood.  

[Sypon]

Ganyma’s powder blue suit looked an equally pleasing seafoam green in the light of the block. The little hair he had was slicked back, giving it the dapper appearance of a wet baby quackbeast. He wasn’t the belle of the ball, but he did make an impression—slightly oversized suit, ever-present flashy boots and all. He fastened his jacket and adjusted his teal bolo tie, waiting at the door with anxious excitement.

He was finally old enough to go to a party from the Queen herself. Even the mere thought made him choke up a bit. To think he, a mere tealblood, could behold such a magnificent hive! To be so close to royalty... And look at what she did for her people! He knew he was right when he guessed about the sheer extravagance of seadweller parties. He had already dashed down notes of the décor for inspiration later, considering the placement of the confectionary plane and the eating area a genius design choice.

After a couple of minutes of waiting and rocking back and forth on his heels, Ganyma began to take in the surroundings of the others at the dance itself. He didn’t recognize anyone, but that was a good sign! There were new friends about, and new connections to be made. Once things really got going he’d be sure to bump into a few people his age. It was hard to keep still and wait.

Ganyma smiled in friendly greeting to a troll who mistakenly gave him eye contact. He was beginning to feel antsy. He’d been standing like one of the bouncer-drones with their fancy ties since he’d arrived, which was surprisingly early. Strochio dropped him unceremoniously off in Four Fronds, and had given him pretty clear directions this time around. Also the Queen’s hive wasn’t that hard to find—especially tonight.

The tealblood looked towards the door. The troll’s attention span was barraged by the lights, sounds and general rabble, but he would stay strong. Every troll who was anyone was gonna be here, so Rasali ought to show up! Ganyma was sure she’d be here soon, and he wasn’t going to get started without her!  

[seekingCylem]

[ Rasali gaped up at the enormous hive before her. She lived in Four Fronds, so of course she knew this building was here, but normally she'd avoid it all costs, much less actually expect herself to enter it.

The unfamiliar sensation of nervousness rattled in Rasali's bile sac. She rolled her tiny hands into fists, not as mindful of her carefully painted nails as she should've been as they scratched up against Kappadad's shell.

Rasali Panaka was currently seated atop her tall lusus's back. She was dressed pretty as a porcelain doll, save for the glower of determination, which seemed more befitting of a warrior, and thus, all the more appropriate for a troll astride a mighty beast. Rather than a frilly, dance-appropriate party dress, Rasali was wearing a kimono, straight from the troll animes. It was a little stiff for the setting, but compared to the sweatpants that made up the other 98% or Rasali's wardrobe, it was at the very least party-quality material.

Rasali fussed with her bun. Fashion was starting to sound a lot less dumb right about then. At least what she was wearing went well with sandals.

Kappadad grunted and straightened his posture the best he could, which caused Rasali to slide right off. She hit his beaver tail on the way down and bounced harmlessly into the grass. She quickly scrambled to her feet and brushed off her kimono, glaring at her lusus all the while.

Kappadad hardly made the effort to look back at her. What was she being so fussy about? It was a party. Parties were fun. This one even had drones on standby to make sure the rambunctious little snappers didn't get out of line. Rasali should just hurry up on in already. Or not. It wasn't like it made a difference to Kappadad, who'd be loitering in the Queen's lawnring all night regardless.

Somehow Kappadad's lack of response reassured Rasali that nothing was wrong. She made a self-satisfied huff of acceptance and patted her lusus's flank. Her lusus did nothing.

Fully steeled, Rasali marched through the doors, past the bouncer drones, and she sort of lost track of where she was after that because WOW THAT WAS A LOT OF LIGHTS AND WHY WASN'T IT THIS NOISY OUTSIDE.

Rasali tried to simultaneously take a moment to regain her bearings and get out of everyone's way, which resulted in her sort of waffling around the foyer with her long sleeves up over her head. ]

 

[T-Kai]

Like many of the other young trolls coming to the event hosted by the young empress, Nervit Lafute had been escorted by her lusus after a thorough fussing and worrying over. Unlike some of the other trolls, her luses was still curled around one budding horn, petting it and generally 'calming' her. In truth Nervit wasn't that afraid and the gesture was slightly ticklish – she rather suspected it was calming Pyredad more than it was calming her. I mean she was nervous of course she was - an orangeblood daring to appear at the party of a queen? But the invitation had been posted in her hiveblock, straddling the line of an order rather than an invitation with how it was worded and definitely geared towards lowbloods. And she was lonely. She didn’t know many people and her last job had petered out – the youngling suspected that the sudden emptiness of the hive, combined with the things she had overheard, meant that the older troll had moved in with their moirail. Which was really, really cute.

Not that she’d ever say that out loud of course. Or the fact that she was kind of glad the job had petered out because it gave her more time to work on her dress! That would be rude, and also inappropriate considering their disparate castes. She was very proud of her dress, though. She'd used up her clothing allowance in her carefully-maintained oinkbeast bank to buy some various types of material in the exact shade of her blood colour last perigree, and she'd been using it in small amounts, dribs and drabs to trim outfits or patch her favourite jumper. However for her party outfit she had decided to use it almost strikingly. The main dress itself was still black from a lush velvet drape that had been thrown out for the tattered ends.

Personally Nervit liked the tattered ends. Usually she could and would hem things so that she wouldn't trip or fall or look tatty but they looked strangely elegant as a party dress. Her leggings were blood-coloured and slightly shiny, an almost copperish hue with the glinting moonlight. A sash of similiairly hued but gauzy material was wrapped around her waist, making her stick like figure a little less straight. Very very little. The sash too had been artfully tattered at the ends and hung down neatly. The arm sleeves she wore were elegant yet simple cotton, tied at the top to her arms with black elastic covered in satin and left loose at the bottom with a black satin edge to fall around her hands. Her hair she had tied carefully into high pony tails that fell into buns at the bottom and her neck was adorned with a thin choker that had a little resin faux-gem in her colour.

Eventually she ran out of things to catalogue about her outfit and had to turn her attention to the doors. There were honest to god Imperial Drones there. She was terrified. There must be something she'd forgotten about the outfit. Her boots, newly shined maybe? Or, uh. Maybe she could count the stitches or something, yes, that would wo- her train of thought was cut off as she watched a rustblood enter the doors, completely unmolested by the drones. Well, if they could do it...so could she! Self-consciously brushing her dress, more for a moment of stalling then for any real dust gathering on the material.

Taking a deep breath, the young troll strode into the ballroom. And then almost immediately winced. Oh my lusus's behind it was LOUD! She scooted to the side, almost (but not quite) colliding with another young troll who seemed to find it a little too loud too.

 

[seekingCylem]

[ As Rasali struggled to regain her bearings, she nearly collided with another troll near the entrance. Thankfully her last-second (though not terribly artful) dodge was enough to send Rasali towards a wall, where she was able to reorient herself with the building.

"OH WOW," Rasali shouted. She appeared to be talking to herself, but if that was the case, why was she shouting over the music?

She kept on hand planted firmly on the wall as she took in the view, which was a mighty bit different than it had been outside the party.

There was at least one more troll here!

Rasali waved at the other little girl. It hadn't technically occurred to Rasali that they'd almost mutually bowled each other over, but it seemed only polite to meet new people at a party.

"HI I LIKE YOUR DRESS!" Rasali shouted over the din. "YOUR LEGGINGS LOOK REALLY SHINY WITH THE PARTY LIGHTS!" ]

 

[T-Kai]

Almost-not-quite! As Rasali dodged, Nervit did also and by the benevolence of whatever deity shined upon little girl trolls - or alternately good reflexes but that was a much more abstract concept to be seen as benevolent really - the two escaped injury! Or you know, social embarrassment. Not that the latter was entirely untangled from the first - especially in troll culture. Injuries that caused social embarrassment, or the far more likely injury caused FROM social embarrassment - because you lashed out or otherwise. But like we established, that hadn't happened this time. Nervit spun on one heel but Rasali had propped herself up on the wall, so she couldn't establish the others colour - indeed in the flashing lights it was hard to discern, and so our young troll found herself uncertain how to reply.

"Why thankyou - your own ensemble is very fashionable, I like the call to some of the outpost culture you have put in, and it flatters you considerably."

When in doubt, play compliments. Everyone liked compliments - and these had the added bonus of being true - Rasali's outfit was lovely! Nervit was very jealous. Well actually she wasn't, but that was the appropriate response, right? Pyredad, on the otherhand, was worried, and curled tighter around his young charge's budding horn - and budding it was. Nervit's horns looked like they were going to grow to be very strange, with all the little buds on them. It was a fun pastime for every troll who had strange horns as a youth to imagine how they would grow. She was hoping for small, delicate curlicues herself, or perhaps slight outward curves, like Pyredad's face-frills. Often young trolls horns would resemble their lusii after all, though why that was had been the subject of several studies and the mediculler community had never come to a consensus. Some of the studies had suggested it was due to psychic imprinting from the troll though, so Nervit did keep hoping.

She cleared her throat after a second, a polite cough. "It is very loud in here tonight." Indeed Nervit was having to shout too - something she normally abhorred.

 

[seekingCylem]

[ Rasali blinked quickly as she processed Nervit's words over the noise. Upon registering the compliment, Rasali broke out into a grin. Her long teeth stood out against her otherwise rounded features.

"Gee, thanks!!" She shouted back, albeit quieter than earlier. Shout-poles were a standard component of Rasali's speech, regardless of the venue.

"There's a really great imports store in New Hemisect where I like to get teas and stuff and they had this there! I painted the symbol myself a'course, though!"

Rasali tugged at her kimono and gestured to the blocky lines stenciled onto the bottom corner of the otherwise plain, black fabric. The green was sort of difficult to define thanks to the flashing party lights, but apparently seemed to match the obi keeping the whole outfit together, as well as the nail-polish Rasali had used on her fingers and toes.

Nervit's comment on the party's volume returned Rasali's attention to the conversation. "Oh yeah!! I dunno why it has to be so loud! It's just one big room here, like, I can see the band! I know it's here!" Rasali giggled. It was a shrill, bubbly noise that punctured the heavy bass that made up the bulk of the party noise.

"Have you been to parties like this before? This is my first one!" Rasali asked white a short nod and a smile, acknowledging her and Nervit's similar ages. ]

 

[Green Minuet]

The first thing Kursha did as soon as he was inside and away from his lusus' eyes, was to unbutton his jacket, loosen his tie, and roll up his sleeves. He briefly considered popping his shirt collar, but then realised it would hide the cool tattoos around his neck, so left it alone. The rest of his attire though... Aside from the crosshair-shaped pin attached to his jacket, there was very little Kursha liked. He scowled. He and the Colonel had very different ideas on what was appropriate to wear for the dance and the disparity in opinions quickly escalated into an argument. The debate did not last long however. Inevitably, Kursha ended up in a stiff, black suit.* It was either that or risk the Colonel's wrath,** which, after last week, he was not ready to attempt any time soon. Still, he felt like he was going to suffocate in the damn thing.

Consciously, Kursha tousled his hair. As if wearing a suit was not bad enough, his lusus had also made sure that he was better preened than a peacock in springtime - she had even gone so far as to watch him as he brushed his hair to make sure it was just right. So of course Kursha had to retaliate in whatever way he could, no matter how small or seemingly trivial. He had to prove that he could not be controlled, not by his lusus, not by anyone.

After he was certain he was reasonably dishevelled, Kursha took stock of his surroundings. Most of the action was centred in the dance floor, right in front of the band. The crowd resembled a writing mass of arms, legs, and flashy suits and gowns.*** Off to the sidelines, Kursha spotted a few pairs of discarded shoes, forgotten by several of the more enthusiastic dancers. The band was numbingly loud, though Kursha found he did not mind so much once his sponge clots had adjusted to the deafening noise.

He paced around the perimetre of the dance floor, on the lookout for any familiar faces. After two or three laps inside the wall, a brief break at the snack bar, and no luck, Kursha abandoned his search. It would be a lie to say he was not disappointed. Still, he was not exactly on the best of terms with his neighbours, so in a way it was kind of a relief. Besides, this provided a perfect excuse to socialise outside of his established circle. Not that he needed an excuse really.

Kursha spotted a simple-looking tealblood (or atleast his tie was teal) shuffling by the entrance. He was wearing a ridiculous, powder blue suit, that appeared one size too big. Though the tealblood was still a kid, he was noticeably older that Kursha; noticeably bigger too. Kursha sidled up to him, grinning.

"Hey there," he said. No response. The music was too loud. Kursha tried again. "HEY there! You with those guys?" He thumbed in the direction of the drone-bouncers. "Had to throw anyone out yet?" That was a bit of a joke, that.

*His tie was in his blood colour of course.
**He had recognised that dangerous gleam in her eyes.
***Despite himself, Kursha was secretly glad that the Colonel had not relented in letting him wear something a little more casual.
OoC: Necro'ing the thread because HELL yes.  

[Sypon]

Ganyma bobbed his head up and down with the rhythm of the tunes. For a moment, it seemed as though there was nothing in the world but the lights and sounds of the party – they were loud and bright enough, that is. The little tealblood found himself zoning out before he realized a greenblooded troll was vying for his attention, and immediately snapped to.

“Oh! Me?” He pointed at himself and looked to his left, then to his right. Ganyma seemed perplexed.

“No, uh, I don’t work here.”

Wait a second… Dang! Maybe he could have gotten away with making up something cool. Wait another second… the greenblood thought he worked there in the first place. That was pretty cool! Evidently, Ganyma Callow, biggish lumpy tealblood child, looked like he worked for the queen. One could see the stars in his eyes. Those stars being the nearly deadly strobe lights of the party, of course.

In any case, he’d turned down the opportunity to look extra cool like one of the pointy drones (fancy bowties notwithstanding), but at least he looked like he belonged. And that’s what he wanted, right? Or maybe he wanted to stand out. Right now, Ganyma’s head was too filled with drum and bass to function at its normal Ganyma level, so he decided to not make a decision one way or the other. He decided on the more universal response: to play it cool.

“Haha… I haven’t seen anybody get thrown out or anythin’, but I’m keepin’ my eye out. No fights or nothin’ yet!”

Ganyma smiled and prodded back at the greenblood, looking back on the dance floor. You know, Ganyma had never seen dance moves like that before. Maybe there WAS a fight going on. He thought of Rasali and how she’d definitely pull him into the thicket of limbs and garments. He was unable to keep himself from casting another look towards the entrance in an attempt to see her.  

[Green Minuet]

“Um...” It looked as though the tealblood had temporarily zoned out. Kursha shifted uncomfortably. What was with that weird starry-eyed expression? That sappy smile? For half a second Kursha considered sidling away. However at that moment the tealblood's far off gaze disappeared and he laughed.

“Haha… I haven’t seen anybody get thrown out or anythin’, but I’m keepin’ my eye out,” he assured Kursha. “No fights or nothin’ yet!”

Kursha grinned. His initial impression of the tealblood seemed to be spot on. Mentally, the greenblood congratulated himself. The older troll would prove a lot of fun. Still, it was too early to assume anything. He would poke around a bit more then have some fun. “That's lousy,” he replied. “Though I guess that means there's still a chance I get to see you action, huh?” Giving a conspiratory wink, Kursha elbowed the tealblood playfully in the ribs.

“So, waiting for your daaate?” Kursha drawled, trying to coax a reaction from the other troll. The tealblood had made more than a few surreptitious* glances towards the door. Kursha peered through the bodies. It was no good. There were too many people. Not to mention he had no idea who he was looking for. “Is it black or red?”

*And not-so-surreptitious.  

[Sypon]

Ganyma laughed as he felt the greenblood's pointy elbow against his chest. "Maybe! I do have some moves," he boasted. Ganyma put his paws up and stomped his feet apart in a wide wrestling stance, for a moment focused and intense. He broke his own trance with a chuckle and scratched the fluffy back of his head with a hand.

Hmm. His hair was getting pretty fluffy. As Ganyma considered how many beetles he had for a hair cut in New Hemisect (his old go-to salon was crushed in the earthquake, and Four Fronds was just so expensive!) he found himself dozing off again, the pulsing of his thoughts, the lights and the sounds drowning out everything except-- date?

Date? Daaaate?

Ganyma blinked. Was there someone else he was talking to? He looked to the left and right -- and even up -- before realizing. Rasali -- his date? Ganyma was stunned if only to realize that he'd never thought of that before. She'd be his tag team buddy, sure... But never his arch nemesis of the ring -- the kismet nemesis hellbent on unmasking him and shaming him in front of his adoring fans! She wasn't his matesprit, neither! Ganyma laughed at the thought.

"Naw! She's just a friend. She lives in Four Fronds is all, so I figured, you know... She might be here," The restless troll smiled at his new acquaintance, trying to put on an air of patience. He was obviously restless. Maybe Rasali wouldn't be here after all. Kappadad may have kept her inside.

"I was just waitin' a little bit longer, is all. She'd probably get dancin' without me anyway, so it's no big deal!" He suggested optimistically. Ganyma fidgeted in place all the while.  

[iStoleYurVamps]

Lunear liked parties. Why? Because he could be fancy as ******** and no one could tell him not to show off and be just that well dressed. Arriving in his little troll tux, hand tailored and fitted just for his size and shape perfectly, The blue blooded arrogant arsehole strode in with enough swagger to choke on.

His ego was massive and he was totally the highlight of the night.At least that's how Lunear imagined it. But no, he'd just arrived, smiled politely, and the clung to the wall like a wall scale plant.

Puffing himself up by doing a mental mantra of 'I am cool. I am collected. I am perfect. I am smart. I am-' He strut himself out off the wall, determined to say hello and talk with these lessers. The plebs.

But Lunear almost immediately bumped into another troll.

"Oh, hey- I know that one usually dances at these sorts of things, but please, try not to dance into others. Now that's just rude." Never mind it was Lunear who'd bumped into the teal blood. At least it was better than running into a red... right?

Sypon

hi idk how 2 intro chars in orps

Katanari

hello i am hawkward nice 2 meet u

 

[Green Minuet]

“You suuuuure about that?” Kursha asked, needling him. “Nah, I'm just playing,” he added quickly. “Don't worry.” Still, he winked knowingly.

“Anyway, if it's no big deal, than why all the...” Kursha stopped midsentence as a blueblood suddenly walked into his companion.

“Oh, hey,” the bloodblood began. “I know that one usually dances at these sorts of things, but please, try not to dance into others. Now that's just rude.”

It was the kind of thing that really got on Kursha's nerves. As the blueblood sauntered away, without so much as a shred of an apology, Kursha turned to his companion. “Are you just going to let him get away with that?” he asked, visibly annoyed. The tealblood's hesitation told Kursha he would need to take the lead on this one. His scowl quickly transformed into a broad, confident grin. “Come on!” he exclaimed, laughing. “Your girlfriend can wait! Besides you promised me a chance to see you show off those guns of yours! Not that we'll need them - we're just after a proper apology, right? So don't worry, compadre. If anything goes wrong I'll be your back-up!” Hooking an arm behind the taller troll's shoulders, Kursha began to steer him into the crowd after the blueblood. It only took a moment to find him.

“All right,” Kursha started to explain, as they approached the blueblood from behind. “I’ll get his attention, and you just have to… Hey, is that your friend over there? Look, the one who’s waving.” He pointed. When his companion’s attention shifted, Kursha made his move. Both targets were in position. Closing the small remaining distance between himself and the blueblood, Kursha stuck his foot out in front of the blueblood’s ankle. Then Kursha gave him a little push between his shoulders.*

“Oops.” Cue the trip, fall, and angry accusations. Kursha had no intention of being the accused however. Wearing a broad grin, he slipped back between two nearby trolls. With luck, the first person the blueblood would lay eyes on would be the tealblood, and remembering his earlier slight, things would likely heat up. Fast. If not though, Kursha had a plan. He always did.

*Actually, it was quite a rough push.

OoC: Hello Hawkward! P: Nice to meet you! I tried to leave it vague as to whether Lunear actually tripped or not, but if anything needs changing, let me know. Also, I am kind of a slow poster.  

[iStoleYurVamps]

He figured that would have been the last he'd see of the other trolls. For better or worse, sometimes it was just easier to live and let go and just move on with everything. But of course, that just wasn't going to happen, not while his ego was so inflated that it was practically begging to be popped. And, he was trying to awkwardly force himself to avoid becoming a dreaded wall flower. There was nearly nothing worse than attending a dance and then not actually dancing.

It was like a form of social suicide!

Tripping and stumbling he spun on his heel just in time to catch sight of the perp.

"Pardon you good sir! I do think you ought to watch yourself and act accordingly!"

Katanari

Sypon