(2012) Winter Coronation

[Gerrit]

Continued in (2012) The Food Table

[Yamiyo Lillich]

Shaking her head a bit.
"You're right Seraphina, I really need to learn the difference between romance and seduction and most importantly the different time frames of them."

Taking a quick look around, things seemed to be quite dived up thinking for a moment to head over towards Cassandra and Gerrit but then again he had not listened to her and maybe it would be better to leave them alone for now.

Instead walking towards the summer gathering, hoping that she wouldn't be to disturbing.

Walking over to (2012) Out of the Way Table

[Rhodes]

Moving slowly away from the dancing Winters, Rhodes slips back over to Sera, nodding to those around her. "Good evening, ladies. I hope you are enjoying yourselves?"

Though tired, his professional smile is back. His hand slips gently into Sera's.

[Anatole]

Anatole slowly lets his head turn and look over the flustered Winter King.

"Dancing can do that, you know. You make a fine couple."

He smiled reassuringly.

"I could do that. Once, you know. I used to like spinning off with the ladies. I should have enjoyed it more. Back then, I think I enjoyed the power of it more than the companionship. I was a fool."

[James Turner]

“What!?” He couldn’t have hidden the incredulousness if he tried, he was so caught off guard by the statement. He couldn’t help but laugh uncomfortably and thank his lucky stars he was behind a mirrored mask. He shook his head, “No, it’s not like that.” If it were, I’d hide it better. What the hell is going on, why does he even think that? It was just a dance, nothing more.

He grunted again, hand lifting to run through his hair before dropping when he remembered the mask. Listening to the elder’s words he nodded, surprisingly knowing exactly what he was talking about. “That’s all I know. I’m not very good but she had always led. It was my job to watch for deception while they were distracted as she conducted business.“ And here you are following her steps still like a good boy. It’s all I know!

He couldn’t help but watch her and Gerrit dance and laugh and feel that distance between himself and everyone else again. Those glass walls built up around everyone and everything that kept him on the outside looking in. He frowned and looked around the room and couldn’t help but feel he was the one out of place. He took a deep breath and shut his eyes wanting to will himself to disappear, but he was not blessed with such luck.

“Get out there, have time to get one dance in at least.” The shock of surprise had worn off and sorrow had found its way into his heart once more his voice returning to the flat neutrality he was accustomed too. He'd put money that Anatole would reference age or a lack of a partner to get out of it, but he wondered if it was true or if they both just felt like they didn't deserve it. You're projecting John.

[Seraphina]

To say she was worried about Sonnie would be an understatement.

“I always enjoy an event where I get to dress up.” A warm smile to him, it was no secret she loved dressing up.

Accepting his hand with a gentle squeeze, she leans slightly against him, enjoying the touch.

“I was just telling Sonnie Wu how much I enjoyed her dress and how wonderful it looks on her.”

[Titania]

She has to suppress a smirk, both for the trick Anatole has been trying to pull on the Winter King and at the image of the blocky man spinning a lady around the floor.
"Don't be too hard on yourself", she interjects, "I'm sure that you're just out of practice", funny though, you wouldn't tell which one of the two men she's addressing.

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie blinked as Seraphina came over with an offer of a warm beverage (and her boyfriend - though Rhodes wasn't being offered). She accepted the drink, sniffing at the glass' contents. "Oh, hi! Um, thanks? Your dress is way better!" She nodded to both the Spring Queen and the Autumn King.

"So.... What's up, you two... uh, complete strangers? All these masks, I don't know who anyone is!" She still had the mask Yamiyo gave her in her other hand, as if she didn't know what to do with it.

[Gerrit]

Leaving Cassandra to herself, Gerrit went to get the gift he'd prepared for John - he had stored it near the entrance, where he 'worked' in the beginning. Compared to what little he had seen of other gifts, it really wasn't much: the arrangement of flowers really was more of a gesture.

He took all the uncomfortable thoughts - the inadequacy of his gift, the worry that he'd disturb John's and Anatole's discussion, a lingering concern about Cassandra - and put them behind the mask he was wearing. Just like John, when he gets all rigid and unreadable. Yes, just like their new King of Sorrow - he ought to ask the Darkling to teach him a thing or two about that.

The the table, Gerrit waited for an appropriate time to move in front of John and cleared his throat. "Sorry, I don't want to interrupt" a quick glance toward Anatole, including the Wizened in the apology, then back at the Monarch "and I know that you have been crowded the whole night, but I also wanted to give you this." He put the basket on the table and folded his hands behind his back - mostly to keep them from scratching and picking at each other. "I also wanted to say congratulations and that your speech was really good. I'm glad to have you as our Monarch.. and as our friend."

[Anatole]

Anatole's lip curled but the cynical twist to his lips was softened by a twinkle in his eye. The wizened gave an absent minded nod, as if satisfied by the King of Sorrow's response.

"This must all be a bit bittersweet for you, then. You know well the pain that comes with the power you now hold. Maybe that will be a good thing. For you. For your Court. Perhaps even this Freehold."

His eyes hardened briefly and he shot John a carefully coded glance. Then he shifted in his seat and surveyed the venue.

"Nah. Dancing isn't my thing now. I'm too heavy. Hi... Gerrit? Gerrit!"

It took several moments for the dwarf to click who the big man was. The voice gave it away. Anatole flashed a smile and a nod, then politely turned his face away so the two Onyx courtiers could share a modicum of privacy.