realmofstories | 2 apples | and know me better, man

Characters: Alfyn | Johnny Appleseed & Shad | Oberon / YOU TOO
Campaign: Hollow Christmas Carol
Format: either! Written in [brackets]
Open; part A closed to Shad
Summary: Ebegeezer and Beltrina share a dance together; Alfyn spends his spare time partying and giving out gifts!

A - Scene 3: A Dance They'll Never Forget

[Alfyn, dressed in Beltrina's best for this little get together, awkwardly loiters near the edge of the designated dance floor. The little band is playing, and plenty of other people are having a great time with the music and merrymaking...and he's here in a dress that looks like something his Ma would've picked out and bare feet. The latter isn't so bad, though.

But the book let him know it was time and...the rest kind of fell into place. He shifts a bit from foot to foot, missing his satchel and his sense of purpose. He's supposed to wait for an invitation from someone special...right?

At least it's not too hot and stifling with a skirt on.]
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B - Spreading Cheer and Good Fruit

[When not otherwise engaged in trying to put a world back together, and dressed in something more his...sort of thing for what he considers a fancy party, Alfyn takes it upon himself to grab a nearby friend by the elbow. Gently!]

C'mon! [And he motions to the door back out into the cold, greying elements.] We're supposed to give out presents, and I know just the thing!

[His hapless ~~victim~~ helper will get unceremoniously herded toward the door! They are going out and about to see to it that every child has something in hand. ...He hasn't grabbed any of the gifts from under the tree, though.]
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C - Mayhem! At The Hoedown

[He's been having quite the night, all told. Alfyn takes some mulled cider and a cookie and sits down near the music and dancing, just to watch. He's not much for the slow and pretty stuff. But watching the "people" move around is kind of mesmerizing, and of course some of his friends - old and new - are at it as well.

Even though he knows soon enough he'll be called upon again to help put this world right...it's not so bad to take a break, is it? Everyone needs rest.

(This is your chance to ask Alfyn to dance!)]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Shad is Uncomfortable. This is a fact. It doesn’t even matter how much he had prepared (for those curious— not much, considering he had only a little time to after he received the notification in his journal), that he is suddenly forced into a role had set him into a near panic. If he could, he would have fled!

But no. He has to see this through. Even if flirting is the absolute worst thing he’s capable of doing, period. ]

Lady Beltrina, I presume? ........You look..... nice.

[ IT’S SO FORCED but he is already blushing so hard right now because he just. Can’t.

Shad slaps a hand to his forehead and shakes his head. ] Ah, wait, no— allow me to try again.

[ This is going to go excellently. ]

...You think so? [He mutters it, while "Ebegeezer" is trying to introduce himself.

Watching the man stumble all over the place in his words just gets Alfyn all sympathetic, and in seconds he has forgotten the awkward air of wearing a dress.]

Hey, sure thing! You can have as many tries as you want. [His smile is gentle and friendly, and he even curtsies with a blunt clumsiness.] Well then, stranger?

[ Wow this guy is extraordinarily calm. Why can Shad be just as chill? why?

Clearing his throat as he watches the other man curtsy. ] ...Ah, that is. My name is Shad. [ Or should he introduce himself as Oberon? Or, wait, no-- ] Er, I mean, Ebegeezer.

[ And he'll at least follow through with a courteous bow, although his is well practiced as if he's done so many times before. And just as smoothly, he extends an arm for him to take. ] Would you care for a dance, my lady?

I...think I know your name already? [Alfyn smiles with only half of his face, the other half trying hard to grimace a little.] I mean...I think I remember you from...school? You sure were a troublemaker!

[The details of certain parts of the story are a little fuzzy for him but he will do his absolute best.

For exaple: this curtsy that almost knocks him over, until he changes it to a bow instead. Dress be damned! He does a good bow, if a bit playful.]

I'd love a dance! Most of this ain't my kind of music, but- I guess I'll give it a try.

[Is Beltrina or Alfyn talking here?]

[ This guy is either a good actor or a terrible one, and Shad cannot decide. The bow Alfyn changes to mid-curtsy does earn him a bit of a brow raise, however. What a strange man...

....Aaaaand Shad is still offering his arm to take, but since "Beltrina" did not take it, he's kinda just left there... standing awkwardly as well?? Time for Shad to then offer his hand instead. ] I'm not familiar with this music, either, but let us make the most of it, shall we? [ They Can Do This!

Shad smiles at him courteously. ] The steps are not too complex.

[He was getting there! Acting is a new experience for him entirely and he's torn between playing it up or just being himself. Two of his friends are excellent actors, even though that's not either one's job, and he's trying to emulate how smooth and effortless they make it look.

Which results in kind of a stiff reach for Shad's hand and an easy smile.]

Glad to hear that. I've been watchin' and trying to get the lay of it, but the message isn't getting to my toes.

[Suddenly he remembers said toes are bare and hopes nobody dance-steps on them.]

Ah, well. [ Shad sighs, giving him a sympathetic half-smile. ] I highly doubt anyone will blame you should you miss a step or two.

[ And ever used to playing the gentleman at formal banquets, it's a smooth transition for Shad to begin leading Alfyn towards the actual dancing. ] We've both been thrust into roles to which neither of us are accustomed. The script wrote to participate in a dance, not to be masters of the dance.

[This guy reminds him a lot of Cyrus, which means Alfyn settles all the more comfortably into conversation with him. Unlike Cyrus, though, it seems this fella can actually dance. As the next song starts and Alfyn eases into the rhythm - it helps that it's a folksy holiday tune, perfect for his usual sensibilities - he grins at Shad.]

Yeah, but I bet they weren't half bad at it, you know? Especially since it seems like this is what people do for fun around these parts, all gatherin' for food and music. Truth be told, this ain't too far off what a celebration'd be like back home. ...A little richer, though.

[Clearbrook as a whole doesn't have many leaves but they've got a lot of heart.]

[ So, uh. Shad knows what to do with a lady during a dance, depending on the dance. And whatever this song requires for them to do, whether it be holding onto his waist or beginning side-by-side for a few steps, he'll do. The blots are easy to follow, but it's not as if anyone is paying attention to how they're dancing.

He's used to both the sophisticated but stuffy pleasantries of the upper class as well as the lively gatherings of the taverns in the streets. In his opinion, there is a time and place for both festivities; to him, it's more about who is present at a party rather than where it is held. ] It is not so much different from where I hail, either. [ Were it during a time a peace, that is. ] Although-- having a tree inside the manse is certainly new.

[ And then he chuckles. ] What a concept! It will be the first thing I shall add to my parlor when I return home. [ Assuming he'll remember. ]

Yeah, the tree's a nice touch! Wish they hadn't had to cut it down to get it here, though.

[For reasons he is still, slowly, figuring out, he pictures an apple tree decorated with festive lights and such instead, one growing right up from the floor, brilliant apples hanging from its branches like the glass balls do from this tree here. It doesn't have the splendor of a pine but it has its own charm...inside his head, anyway.

The music seems to be mellowing out into something of a slower dance.]

So is this all we're supposed to do in this scene? Just have a kind of nice dance together?

[ Did he have to remind him......... ]

I believe we are to sing.

[ Clearing his throat. ]

But must we? [ Can't they just skip that part? Oh, sure, Shad will join in the merry tavern song with a group, but not... this. ]

[Sing? Alfyn looks embarrassed already.]

Haha, well, I can try to sing but they probably won't like it much! [He his chipper about his lack of mastery in this area, though.] Especially since I don't know a one of these songs here.

[He just barely misses stepping on Shad's foot, stumbling a little to get back into the steps.]

I do a pretty good drinking song though. Long as it doesn't have to sound like a performer or anythin'.

[ A drinking song is doable. ] Ah! Then sing, my boy, and I shall join you. [ Drinking songs are catchy and easy to learn, after all. He's certain he can join in after the first verse or something.

SHAD IS READY TO GET THIS OVER WITH! ] If there is a jig to it, all the better. [ Hell, a drinking song (and more drinks) would definitely make this place more turnt. ]

2 apples | and know me better, man

A oh my gooooooood

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i just remembered it's a musical number

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