New Years at The Park

[October]

Laughing, “I agree, that someone is wrong and should not be in charge of breakfast.” Nope. “Huh, I’ve never heard of it, but I’m curious now and have to try it.” She had always been adventurous with food, especially if it was foreign. “You could not recommend it all day and I’d still try it.” Just who she was. “I’d have to look into it more, but I’m not sure about the perk part. Iron is always good for you in controlled doses. But blood is also high in protein, another good thing, so I could see where some might think it perks you up.” But without looking at the ingredients and doing some research, she wasn’t sure.

“Awwww! I don’t think you were that bad! And if you look around the room, no one remembers you dancing, or even myself dancing for that matter. They’re all in their little worlds just having fun.” It was true, look into the crowd and no one would be point at Chambers or laughing, they were dancing, drinking and just living their best lives. “But, I’ll respect it and not drag you back out there.” If he wanted to try again, it would be his call.

Another laugh as she takes a sip, “Oh, they are. I made sure there was a nice announcement going out when I graduated top of my class.” Always good to let the haters know you were doing good.

“Ah, I see.” A nod, “Good for you then, finding a topic that you enjoy and studying. So many never continue their studies past what they think they need. Such a waste.” Her studies had stalled, but that wouldn’t always be the way.

“See, I find that fascinating, the whole apprentice practice as a way of study. Learning things with your hands and through practice, I think it’s some of the best ways to learn something. I’m sure what she taught you cannot be taught in a book.”

[Chambers]

He pulls out his phone and does a quick google, because it turns out he isn’t super sure of the process and ingrediants himself. Black Pudding ‘Huh would you look at that its illegal in the US.’ Passing the device across in case she wants to have a look. ‘Something to do with containing sheep’s lung.’ Although try it or not sounds like she’s already got a decent idea of its break down. ‘Makes sense to me.’ Medically he wasn’t so well versed but if he wanted to he could make a living off cooking and that required some knowledge of what goes into food.

He looks incredulous. ‘Not that bad.’ Eyebrows up, but humour in the eyes themselves. ‘I moved like a sack of spuds on a seesaw.’ Okay that might be exaggerating a little. But it wasn’t good. ‘Clearly no one, because if you did you wouldn't be sugar coating it.' Okay enough teasing he can see the writing on the wall. 'You want to go back out on the floor don't you?' He phrased it as a question but meant it as a statement. Resigning himself to what he didn't need the time Arcana to foresee he downs the entire pint he had refilled. A wise choice, no. Will it help, Yes.

The glass goes down a little hard and he surfaces. 'Ah.' Deep breath. 'Oh the classic razor sharp epilogue. Nice touch.' He already considered October smart but a top of the class finish raises her just a little higher in his expectations, because in a field like medicine that must take some doing. 'I consider myself a practitioner of the Irish goodbye when its called for, it really lets them know they aren't worth the effort.' A very different approach to be sure.

Pushing himself to his feet in preparation he straightens his waistcoat. 'Its because education is usually done very badly. It puts people off. But we do need it. We need all of it. Every scrap and morsel of knowledge.' How else to unravel the lies that obscure the truth. 'And of yourself? I take you enjoyed your studies for all of their stress and needed effort?' Be odd to stick in the career if she didn't.

Technically, yes it can but a rarer book you won't find. 'One to one tuition. Guided oversight. The bond that it forms. It is in my opinion the best way to teach. Practical skills, academia, any of it. Its just not how its done anymore.' Once it was. The skills for life, the ones needed to carry on and practice a trade. Honed by centuries of understanding. All being undone by modern advancements. Fortunately this isn't the time or place to get melancholic.

And now for something totally unexpected. He holds out his arm. A gentlemen waiting to escort a lady. Because if she wants to dance then lets make it memorable. Thoughts of sympathy seemingly either quelled or absent based on the gesture. The double edged sword of drinking for confidence.

[October]

Laughing, she accepts the phone, quickly scrolling through the ingredients, “Well, guess I won’t be finding it anywhere downtown. Might have to plan a vacation!” the little bit about the sheep lung gets a shrug, “Might be due to regulations and how meat is inspected if I had to guess.” Should would have to look deeper, but didn’t really want to.

It was a good thing she hadn’t taken another drink, because there would have been champagne shooting through her nose, laughing, “Now there is a saying I haven’t heard!” gonna have to remember that one. “I’m not sugar coating it, I’m just stating a fact. No one cares and no one will remember except you.” How was that sugar coating it? “At some point, yes, I’ll be back out on the dance floor.” Because it was New Years!

A lazy shrug, “Some of it I enjoyed, some I didn’t. I’m sure every student takes classes they wish they didn’t have to. But overall, it wasn’t horrible.” She survived and graduated.

“You know? You’re quite right about that. I was lucky enough to have a few mentors that helped guide me along the way. Those bonds are invaluable to a student, and should be encouraged.”

An eyebrow raises in question at the offered arm, “Going somewhere?” because the last thing she would expect would be for him to actually want to dance again.

[Chambers]

He'll take his phone back, pocketing it. 'If you like dying port towns, crumbling castles and tax payer funded stately homes then England awaits.' Despite the jab he wasn't opposed to all of those, the castles were very cool.

Laughing along her company was a little infectious. Seemed that hit a funny bone. 'That might be because I'm fairly sure I just made it up.' Or just slammed words together in an attempt to mock myself.

He gets a momentary far away look in his eyes. 'The on mass method of teaching is the worst iteration of it bar maybe the ancient Greeks.' Teach to the tests, limited connection, no sense of weight from the students for what they were receiving. A mandatory exercise in futility. 'But still a few pockets of decency still remain.'

'I.' He says with a degree of aplomb. 'Am taking a page out of your book.' Although the arm does go down, it might have been a little over dramatic. 'As only a good friend would you came with me when I wanted off the floor.' She really hadn't needed to. 'So allow me to accompany you back onto it.' Not that he wanted to dance per say, just be a good friend.

[October]

Beaming, “Then it’s a good thing I love those!” she’d never been, it was somewhere new and exciting to her. And that was usually all it took to catch her eye.

“Then you should write it down. Not many people are good at throwing words together like that. Then release a book that includes them all and make a killing.” Hey, it could happen.

Judging by the far away look, he was either passionate about this, or had a bad experience with it. Or maybe a mixture of both. Either way, “I’m not an academic, but I know what works for me and what doesn’t. And I think there needs to be more study on the education system as a whole.” But that was a discussion for another time. It was more serious and she wasn’t in a serious mindset. She blames the champagne. And the dress.

The Enchantresses face lights up, “Aw!” knowing he wasn’t a dancer or even seemed to enjoy it, it meant a lot to her! Sometimes it’s the little things that let you know you’ve found a good friend. Standing, “Thank you.” Placing her glass down, “Lets show them how it’s done!”

[Chambers]

Outside looking in I guess. The world was so much larger then his England, so much richer so much more interesting. But I did grow up on the Island so I am rather biased. And the architecture is very good. 'Well if you ever do go my only advice. Avoid London.' Beyond that he would leave it for her to explore if she ever so wished.

A book really? Not everything needs to be monetised. He shakes his head. 'Or I could just let them come and go as they please. More authentic that way.' That she liked it was nice, but it wasn't something he could replicate on a whim, not the way she reacted to it.

A grimace of agreement. 'Your very right there.' Nothing more to be said really.

His Smile is definitely from her excitement, not the prospect of what's about to come. 'Something like that. Certainty.' And never one to anything by halves he does give it a good an effort as he has again ...

Just Dance 2. failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-01-18 13:28:49	Chambers rolls 1 to Dance (dex2, expression 0, -1 untrained social skill, Booze -1 dex +1 social skills) (10 Again)	3	failure

And it's like he's never been away. Off beat, out of tempo and missing the ques. Chambers dancing the sequel, contains all of your favourite moments from the debut, spiced up by a little drunken confidence means now he can fail even more spectacularly.

[October]

A curious look offered, “Now you have me wondering about it. Is there some dark secret as to why tourists should avoid it, or do you just not care for it?” either way didn’t matter to her.

There was a light shrug, “Sure, or that. I just think it would be hilarious to see on a magnet or something.” But that was just her way of thinking. Hear something funny, want to hold on to it.

It certainly seemed like October had lost her groove this time around. Gone was the little bit of rhythm she had. But she didn’t seem to notice or let it stop her, her smile was just as wide and she was having just as good of a time!

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-01-18 20:48:35	October rolls 3 to Dance?(Dex+Expression) (10 Again)	2, 6, 2	failure

[Chambers]

On London there is a lot he could say but time and place make it less then appropriate, or easy to communicate long drawn out ideas. 'Its an over priced tourist trap that in no way reflects the country.' As equally true as anything else. 'If you want to visit England there are so many better places to go.' So, so many.

Managing to get a shrug in at least. 'I can't help but think that would take away from it myself.' Besides there were plenty of such little nick knacks about.

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-01-18 23:47:22	Chambers rolls 1 to Dance (dex2, expression 0, -1 untrained social skill, Booze -1 dex +1 social skills) (10 Again)	7	failure

Now that's how to have a good time. It was clear enough she was either slumming it with him at being bad or hadn't got the rhythm down just yet. Not that his dancing was doing any better. Either way she didn't seem to care. Maybe it was personalities? maybe paths? But yeah he could do it for a friend but it wouldn't be his go to entertainment.

[October]

A slow nod, “Ah, one of those places. That’s too bad, it’s such a beautiful city.” She’d still visit it though, just to say she did. “Well, when I plan my trip, I’ll make sure I get recommendations from locals and those that have been. Like you!” it’d be fun to see what he would recommend.

“Maybe, and maybe not!” was still a good idea in her mind.

Looks like she found some rhythm, not a whole lot though. But it didn’t change her smile or how much fun she was having. Maybe it was being an Acanthus that just made her go with flow and the make the best out of everything. Or maybe she truly didn’t give a shit about anyone else’s opinions.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-01-19 14:47:04	October rolls 3 to Dance?(Dex+Expression) (10 Again)	8, 5, 7	1 success

“Know what would make this better?!” flagging down a waitress who had been making her way around the dance floor with various shots. Ordering one, she offers to get one for Chambers too, but wasn’t going to make him take one. After all, he talked about not mixing his liquors. But happily downed her shot.

[Chambers]

Beautiful? London? covered in soot and smog and rubbish? With scowling people barging past. His bias forces him to disagree. 'I'd be quite happy to give you some. A day, A week, two.' However long she went for, England did not lack for good places to go.

He looks confused as he is very clearly trying to do a dance move that is from the wrong genre, wrong scene, and wrong century. 'What would ....' CRASH. His elbow smashes straight into the nose of the waitress he hadn't seen sending her reeling and the tray of shots cascading to the ground.

Dramatic Failure!

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-01-19 15:31:51	Chambers rolls 1 to Dance (dex2, expression 0, -1 untrained social skill, Booze -1 dex +1 social skills, repeat failed action -2) (10 Again, Chance)	1	Dramatic Failure!

He himself stumbles off a few steps unbalanced by the collision. Then looking around realising what's happened and all thought of dancing leaves his head as he moves over to try and make good.

Approaching the downed women who now clutches a bloodied nose. 'Oh Ms. I'm really sorry let me help.' Whatever October had thought people near by at least were definitely looking now and more then one phone is pointing in their direction, if only from the loud noise and disturbance.