station72 | PARTY PARTY PARTY

Entry tags:

PARTY PARTY PARTY

CHARACTERS: Everyone!
WHERE: The streets of Concordia
WHEN: Dusk til just before dawn on DAY 040
SUMMARY: IT'S A PARADE
WARNINGS: Add them to your top levels as necessary etc etc

As from the calendar:

Confetti! It's a parade! The annual Arista Parade, to be precise. Nominally a part of Aristana, the celebration of the ribbons of life, it's a holiday who's origins are nearly forgotten. Nowadays it's a big, raucous celebration pretty dedicated much entirely to drinking and partying. Almost all those in attendance will be wearing ribbons tied around their hair, their wrists, off of their belts and the edges of their sleeves. Pull one off, and you will be rewarded with a kiss - on the cheek, usually. The parade itself showcases a number of performers, costumes, and moving art pieces. It's route covers a number of the main streets of town (which will be closed, sorry traffic), and it lasts from dusk till nearly dawn on DAY :040. Have fun, if it's your kind of scene.

From the mods:

No notable NPCs are present at the parade - at least not in any official capacity. However if anyone wants to interact with a Concordian native, feel free to make up/interact with any randos you feel like!

Feel free to use this log for all of your parade day activities!

*moving art piece not included, original characters do not steal

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[ The contact from Sam sparks the connection, strengthening it momentarily in both directions - the genuine warmth behind a lopsided smile from his side: this is the unspoken easiness from some of their recent talks, the familiarity that could come from equal ground if not for the missing years between them. Steve doesn't try to block it out.

He lets out a light huff, inclining his head toward the dancers. ] You too. [ Having fun, not under dressed. Another nod at the crowd. ] Better not keep all your partners waiting.

[ That's him trying to make a polite exit. He's been doing well enough with the quieter side of the festivities, and he's happy enough to stick with it. ]

Edited 2016-10-12 03:33 (UTC)

[ This is probably the most that Sam's willingly left his shields down since he got practiced enough in them to keep them up, but he can't help but soak up the warmth coming from Steve. It's not like he expects that things can instantly be the way they were between him and Steve back home - or even wants that, honestly, he's not looking for things to be the same. But that doesn't mean he doesn't like the way things are now.

Even when Steve tries to duck out gracefully, to direct Sam's attention back to the other dancers out there - that's pretty much the last place Sam wants to be. ]

I doubt they even notice I'm gone, man. [ He ducks his head a little, then shoots a smile at Steve. ] What're my odds of convincing you to have a dance with me?

Edited 2016-10-17 05:44 (UTC)

[ Uh ]

Me and - you? [ A flicker of confusion, then a quick shake of his head, realizing how that might've come off not so well and trying to catch himself. ] Not that I mean - [ The future's more... open. He makes a face at himself before squinting up at Sam ] - it's just that I've got two left feet, and I wouldn't wanna ruin the rest of your night.

[ If Erskine's serum gave him rhythm, well, that'd be the real miracle. ]

[ There's a brief moment where Sam hesitates, a pulse of concern that he messed up here and freaked Steve out - he knows Steve isn't that far from the forties, and maybe - but it eases out when Steve keeps fumbling, and fades back into warmth by the end. ]

Doesn't matter how you dance, if you're out there with me the last thing you could ever do is ruin my night. [ Even if he wasn't being a little more lax with the mental connection, it'd probably be pretty obvious that he means that, eyes soft and smile genuine before it turns more towards a smirk. ] Besides, I'm a pretty damn good teacher. Give me a chance?

[ He looks up at Sam for a second before letting his gaze slide to the crowd of dancers. The connection vibrates a bit with nervous energy. A hand lifts to smooth down his hair, lowering to the collar of his plain sweater like he's looking to flatten a tie that's not there. Bad habit. ]

Let's see what you got. Just don't say I didn't warn you. [ A nod, and the beginnings of a lopsided smile. His tone is good-natured, easy despite the hum of nerves. ]

[ The nervous energy resonates a little bit with him, briefly, but by now Sam's used to taking in people's emotions without getting caught up in them. He returns a flare of pleasure when Steve agrees. ]

Hell yeah, I'll show you what I got. Don't worry, I won't ever say I didn't know what I was getting myself in for.

[ He actually doesn't know, probably, but that doesn't stop him from reaching out to take Steve's hand, fingers curling around his as he pulls him in towards the other dancers. ]

[ Steve's hand is calloused, slender fingers dusted with charcoal and his grip light as he lets out a huff through his nose. Pulled forward into the crowd he eyes the dancers again. ]

'Scuse me - [ Through no fault of Sam's someone nearly bumps them, causing Steve to hop out of the way. ]

[ His fault or not, Sam turns when Steve has to hop out of the way, and gives a one shouldered shrug. Here's as good as any, and he tugs Steve in closer. He shifts his grip on Steve’s hand so it's a little tighter, a little more angled to swing them both into movement, and rests his other hand on Steve’s hip. ]

I've been kind of winging it with the other people here, but I figured might be better to do something a little closer to home. You ever listen to any jazz?

[ He falls into awkward step with Sam, brow furrowing for a moment when that hand rests at his hip. But he agreed to this, and no one's snickering (which means, for better or worse, he doesn't have to break this off to start a confrontation), so his free hand ends up slipping over Sam's arm, gripping him there. ]

This tune doesn't sound much like Summertime. [ His musical knowledge isn't so nuanced as someone else. ] They still playing all that a hundred years from now?

[ He seems skeptical. ]

Hell yeah, man, great music never dies. When we get back to the station, I'm definitely gonna have to broaden your horizons a little.

[ But he sees the way Steve's brows are furrowed, step awkward, and he presses in a little closer than he might with a dance like this - when he wasn't using dancing as an excuse to press in, anyway - so it's easier to guide their movements. ]

Don't think so much about it, and don't worry about anyone else around us, all right? It's just you and me.

[ The music pulses around them like an electric heartbeat. You and me and a hundred other people, he thinks wryly to himself. ]

Seems like we're dancing to a different song than the rest of them, anyway.

[ Joking, just a bit. He shouldn't complain though, he's keeping up well enough now and he's yet to stomp on Sam's feet - which is a feat, considering how little space is between them now. They aren't the only ones standing so close, hell - they've got a mile between them compared to a lot of the other couples.

From his perforated shields slip flickers of memory: smokey dance halls and frenetic movement, ladies perfume mingling with the scent of sweat. He's almost never at the center of it, but there's a familiar face - his dark hair sometimes slicked back, sometimes with a few strands falling loose over his forehead. Always with a partner, and two arms to hold her with. ]

[ Sam laughs, low and warm, letting a quiet, amused affection bubble through their mental link. ]

Story of my life, man.

[ He's joking, too, but hell, it's true - not that Sam wants to get all philosophical right now.

Really, Sam's not exactly surprised when the memory slips through. It's almost familiar, except for this being a memory instead of them talking about Barnes. He's heard that Barnes was once charming, outgoing, but it's different knowing that and seeing the memory of his face lit up in a smile. For a moment, Sam wonders if he's supposed to acknowledge it or pretend like it hadn't slipped through Steve's shields, but... it's Steve. Sam doesn't like pretense with him. ]

You didn't join him much?

[ The acknowledgement of a slip doesn't bother him much, it happens from time to time even when he's perfectly sober. He's been making more use of their mental communications lately, trying to find some balance when it comes to learning how to wield these new powers more effectively while knowing the almost inevitable risks.

Sam's question causes a pinch at Steve's brow, though. ]

Nah - [ His chin dips down with a wry, self-deprecating sort of half-smile. ] - he was always finding me dates and I was always losing 'em. [ A pause, the smile fading. ] Back then he sure woulda got a kick out of a party like this.

[ That self-deprecating smile tugs at Sam, just a little, but he kind of figures now isn't an appropriate to say anything about just how lucky he thinks anyone who was on a date with Steve should have felt. Instead, he raises his eyebrows and goes for a little teasing. ]

On purpose? Sounds like he wasn't much of a matchmaker. [ His expression goes a little more thoughtful. ] Sometimes I wish I'd known what he was like back then. Most days I'm glad I don't.

[ It's not Sam's fault that the teasing words hit a sore spot, more so when he turns thoughtful like that and continues. Steve's lips part to defensively ask why's that?, then shut again, walls beginning to edge back into place before the lurch in his chest slips through. ]

Speaking of being a lousy date - [ he disentangles himself from Sam's grip, cocking his head to one side. ] - I've gotta run to a corner shop. [ He's supposed to be on a beer run.

Steve lets the twist in his mouth turn into something more like a half formed, apologetic smile ] Thanks for the dance lesson.

[ He needs some air. ]

[ It may not be Sam’s fault, but guilt still twists in his chest when Steve pulls away like that. He pulls his own walls back up a little before he lets himself give in to the quiet feeling of something like frustration. ]

That how this is gonna be, then? You shutting me out and running before I get a chance to figure out why?

[ He gave Steve space before and he'll do it again, if that's what Steve wants, but there's only so many times he'll go with it without making his opinion known. ]

[ His exit is halted with a stubborn set to his jaw for a second before his gaze lowers and head tips to one side, chastised. ]

It's not like that, Sam.

[ From his perspective. But then, he doesn't know how to explain the twist in his chest, or even realize when he starts to turn inward. In his life there haven't been many people to call him on the latter. ]

[ There's more than a streak of stubbornness in Sam, too, and usually he knows when to temper it, when it'd be easier to let things go - but sometimes easier isn't better.

It's not even just that he wants to call Steve out on this, though that's part of it, he wants to understand. ]

What is it like?

[ He lets out a breath through his nose, frowning at empty space. ] I don't know.

[ And it bothers him, especially when that unknown can easily spill onto Sam, maybe more than with most other people here. But that's not Sam's fault either, it's his own problem to sort out. He glances back up at Sam's face. ]

I'm really jerking you around, huh? [ Opening up, shutting down. He didn't realize. ]

[ He tilts his head in concession at that, because fair enough. Sam's not really sure he could answer that, either, even if he has done a lot of thinking on the matter. He quirks a little smile when Steve glances up, letting out a quiet huff that doesn't quite manage to be a chuckle. ]

Maybe just a little. I know you didn't ask for this, and maybe I'm not someone you’d want in your life if you had a choice, but... I'd like to be.

[ He starts shaking his head before Sam even finishes. ]

It's not like that either - you're a stand up guy, Sam. I'm damn lucky you turned up when you did. [ Which still isn't the right thing to say - he closes his eyes, opening them again a second later. ] I'd be even luckier to call you a friend. [ He offers back a half smile that fades as he continues. ] I'd choose you any day. I guess... I wanna make sure I'm not asking too much.

[ Asking Sam to carry too much weight in all of this, especially with Bucky. ]

[ Maybe it shouldn't be the right thing to say, but it absurdly makes Sam feel better. He'd worked himself up so much thinking that Steve didn't want the complication that Sam brought, that he thought things might be easier if Sam'd never showed up here. It's... really good, to hear that isn't the case.

His smile grows a little. ]

There's not a lot you could ask of me that'd be too much, man, and the times it is, you can bet I'll let you know. If I got the chance to be the guy in your corner, I'll take it every damn time. [ There's a brief pause, and then his voice is a little quieter when he continues. ] I'm lucky you're here, too.

You got me when you need me. [ They've both been thinking that they were making trouble for each other just by existing.

He ducks his head, hands shoving into his pockets as he tips his head to the other side. ] ... that'd include the rest of this dance.

[ If Sam still wants to. ]

[ It's such a simple statement, but it tilts Sam's world on its axis a little. If there's one thing that Sam knows about Steve, it's when he says something like that he means it. There was a hell of a lot missing from Sam's life when he wasn't sure if he'd had it. ] Same goes for you, you know. You need someone and I'm yours, no questions asked.

[ Sam's expression goes fond at the same time as his eyes light up a little. Hell yeah he still wants to, and he offers Steve his hand. ] No one else I'd rather be out there with.

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PARTY PARTY PARTY

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what kind of dancing is even popular in concordia, things I didn't think through

https://consequenceofsound.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/thom-yorke-dancing.gif?w=806

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